I have drunk numerous vintages of this Malbec, in copious quantities to boot- so when I was looking for a red wine to try and pair with Andouille and Shrimp Creole I thought this might just work. Spicy foods need to stay away from very tannic wines which need to be very fruit forward and cannot flaunt too much acidity. This varietal is just that; medium tannins, high in fruit and mild in acidity.
This Reserve offering is inky purple in the glass, like opaque. The nose is very fruity with ripe plum, toast, cinnamon, blackcurrant, black cherry and anise. The palate is beautiful- full bodied yet super smooth with black fruits galore, gentle acidity and lithe tannins. A virtual compote of black and dark red fruit with hints of oak. A long finish that is all fruit, little astringency and mildly tart- perfect for my needs. I would also pair this wine with roast poultry, venison, even a pork tenderloin and obviously steaks. It will drink nicely till 2026 and gets 91 points from me. At $18 it’s a steal that gets 5 stars. If you like round, plush, fruity wines that are not very tart or astringent then look for this gem. Salut….