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Tag Archives: Argentina

Trapiche Malbec 2011

29 Saturday Sep 2012

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

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4 stars, 86 points, Argentina, Malbec


Finally, @United Airlines has changed their domestic first class wine. Not a moment too soon. This very serviceable Malbec should be in everyone’s party portfolio. Easy to drink, smooth, without pretension and easy on the wallet. Not complex, it shows balance with tasty primal red fruits. For what it is, don’t expect any cellaring potential. This wine is a very reasonable way to keep many guests happy without breaking the bank.
Malbec comes in several forms from the black and tannic Cahors to the jammy fruit bombs and on to the easy quaffers like this one. 4 stars for its Quality/Price ratio and I reckon it would get 86 points from a pro. Everyone needs an emergency case of this stuff lying around.

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Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2009

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

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5 stars, 91 points, Argentina, Malbec


I have written about the 2008 version of this wine, only giving it 3 stars  and not much detail.  Last night, we drank two bottles of the latest offering, and it was just beautiful.  The nose was very rich with red fruits giving way to powerful blueberry on the initial palate.  Very inky in color, this wine is big.  Tons of fruit mix it up with great tannins that leave you with a long aftertaste.  I love this style of Malbec; juicy, rich and in your face.  It only works well when done correctly.  At closer to $20, the Golden Reserve is a step up from regular offerings from Argentina.  We enjoyed this wine at a social gathering, but I bet it would be great with a juicy steak and some grilled vegetables.  This has to be one of my favorite Malbecs….  5 stars from me- 91 points?

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Santa Julia Reserva Malbec 2010

06 Monday Aug 2012

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3 stars, 87 points, Argentina, Malbec


I remembered drinking this wine before, and had to look it up here.  This version, the 2010, was far better than the ’09.  Fruity on the nose, the initial palate is ‘in-your-face’ with the Malbec.  This grape can be very fruit-bomby and this winery has not strayed far from the hallmark.  Plum and vanilla give way to a decent finish.  I would not consider this a very sophisticated wine, but am warming up to it’s potential as a party quaffer.  For the price, it gets 3 stars.  My guess would be an 87 point wine.

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Simonassi Malbec “1922” ’08

14 Saturday Jan 2012

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Argentina, Malbec


The last bottle of my case, and still undelivering. Argentinian Malbec is, to me, very bright and fruity. This one has more of a balance problem, with too much oak, the acidity bothers me and the tannins are somewhat dry. From old-vines, it was aged in 80% new oak for 15 months- overkill.
When thinking Malbec, I want juice, fruit and decent tannins. The producer claims at least 10 years of cellaring potential. I can’t see it. The dryness that overpowers the palate is not pleasant. To me, I think they tried to mask the wine’s faults with lavish use of oak. 1 star here folks, not a repeat buy for the price.

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fuZion ’10

09 Wednesday Nov 2011

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Argentina, Malbec, tempranillo


Got to try this one after the Trivento and de Clotte.  Very basic Tempranilo/Malbec blend from Argentina.  The Argies do Malbec, in various forms and price points.  This one was very, very reasonable and the quality was commensurate.  Nothing special, very appealing and extremely fruity.  No tannins to hold it together, it is made to drink in the next two weeks!  All kidding aside, this is a good effort at the intention, an easy quaffer that can be carted to a BBQ, party or casual get-together.  A respectable 3 stars with a potential of 84 on a rating scale.  (I’m not rushing out to get more, but will fall back on it if necessary.)

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Trivento Syrah ’07

09 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

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Argentina, syrah


Smoooooooth.  Unanimous in our initial impression, this wine is great.  Kudos to Trivento, this is a really good Syrah.  I enjoyed their Malbec Golden Reserve, but this one is stunning and really balanced.  Full of fruit, soft tannins and a crowd pleasing palate, this one  is a 5 star winner.  I can’t say much more, except that a 92 point rating would be awarded if I were a pro.  Well done, looking forward to trying more from the Trivento line!

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Trivento ’08

28 Friday Oct 2011

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

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Argentina, Malbec


After a long day we continued with the Malbec theme. The Trivento was good, typical Malbec with everything in place. Smooth, fruity with balance and soft tannins. Textbook everyday drinker. 3 stars and probably an 88 pointer.

20111028-153510.jpg

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Dona Paula ’09

27 Thursday Oct 2011

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Argentina, Malbec


The label may have changed, but the wine remains the same- really good.
I first heard of this wine when a friend read my Wine Spectator magazine, took notes and reported back that he liked it. Shortly after, I ended up at an Argentinian steak house in Alaska. They had it on the menu and thus began my affair with Malbec. Last night, after a long hiatus, I found myself back at the same restaurant, ordering the 2009 vintage. Very fruity, soft tannins and balanced. Not quite the fruit-bomb of previous vintages, Dona Paula has tamed the Malbec and created a very pleasant bottle that retails for about $16.
I would recommend looking for it and perhaps drinking if over the next 3 years, it won’t last much longer. 5 stars for sure and a respectable 89 points would make this a sure winner for steaks, even stews and a cold winter night by the fire.

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