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Tag Archives: Argentina

Atrevida Malbec 2018, Medoza, Argentina

16 Monday Mar 2020

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$11, 3 stars, 87 points, Argentina, Malbec, Mendoza


Semi opaque, lighter shade of purple in the glass with no legs evident.  The nose is very fruity and dare I say somewhat candied?  Raspberries and red twizzlers come to mind.  On the palate it’s a touch sour right off the bat.  Rhubarb, raspberries and other red fruits get melded into a somewhat acidic opening.  The mid palate is a touch thin for me, more red fruits and a hint of tannins.  The finish is where the acidity grips my tooth enamel alongside the very lithe tannins.  There’s a tug of war here between the structural pieces and the red primal fruits.  I hope the fruit puts on a better effort because the wine is a little light on flavor and heavy on acid.  It gets better with a bit of air and I hope it pairs well with leftover beef and wild rice.  87 points.  For $11, its a 3 star wine to drink till 2023.  Salut….

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Los Clop Paraje Altamira Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

27 Wednesday Nov 2019

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$30, 4 stars, 91 points, Argentina, cabernet sauvignon, Mendoza


Medium intensity purple in the glass with a nose of black cherries, eucalyptus and iodine.  The palate gives me a dry, tart opening of blackberry reduction coupled with balsamic and that iodine note.  The mid palate is very dry with the tannins coating my gums.  Black fruits and Ribena are prominent.  The finish is decent length with the tannins really gripping.  There’s black cherry and a hint of oak back there amongst the black tea reduction.  Well crafted and built for the long haul.  Drink now if you like em dry or cellar for 3 years, until 2029.  91 points.  For $30, this wine gets 4 stars.  Salut….

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Proemio Red Blend 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

26 Friday Jul 2019

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$10, 90 points, Argentina, cabernet sauvignon, Malbec, Mendoza, petit verdot


Really dark in the glass.  On the nose I get Ribena, blueberry pie and hot stone.  On the palate it’s ginger, blackberry, cedar and evergreen.  There is a really nice tannic backbone, unobtrusive yet I sense some astringent components from them.  The mid palate is all blackberry jam.  The finish is really nice, smooth and very balanced between black fruits, a hint of acidity and those delightful tannins.  It’s quite long to boot.  This is a really nice weekday drinker that gets 90 points from me and 5 stars as it’s under $10.  Drink till 2023 with pizza, burgers, sirloin or pasta.  Blend of Malbec, Cabernet Petit Verdot.  Salut….

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Proemio Reserve Petit Verdot 2015, Mendoza, Argentina

18 Thursday Jul 2019

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$18, 3 stars, 89 points, Argentina, Mendoza, petit verdot


I really like Petit Verdot, blended or standalone.  When I saw this Argentinian bottle of it, I had to try.

As expected it is pretty dark and broody in the glass.  The nose has a sweet perfume of blackberries, licorice and violet.  On the palate this wine has a tartness alongside creosote, black fruit and sour cherry.  The midpalate is quite dry, tannins enveloping the fruit and coating my teeth.  I can feel them getting a purple stain.  They don’t subside either.  The finish is bone dry but I do get more blackberries and some tea.  Wow, it’s a long finish too.  There’s ample reason why a stand-alone PV doesn’t appeal to the masses- it can be too tannic, one dimensional and lacking in fruit whilst heavy in structure.  This is a good example.  It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I enjoy the mouthfeel and weight every so often.  89 points and 3 stars for this $18 bottle.  Drink till 2027 with Ribeye, leg of lamb or rich stew.  Salut….

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Santa Julia Reserva Malbec 2017, Uco Valley, Argentina

07 Sunday Jul 2019

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$10, 5 stars, 92 points, Argentina, Malbec, uno valley


The stickers read- Decanter 93, RP 90.  I’m intrigued.  On the nose I get a nice blackberry, cassis and iodine note.  On the palate it is very lush with mouth coating blackberry jam, delicious yet lithe tannins and a minerality that I was not expecting.  The mid palate is full blown black fruit but it’s the finish that has me lusting for another mouthful. There’s so much body and ripe fruit that it is almost overflowing.  The black berry compote is dark, sweet and ripe.  The tannins are just right, not over done yet they give a nice mouthfeel for a long finish.  This is a drink now till 2027 wine that will reward some patience yet give pleasure right away with everything from Bangers and Mash to hearty roasts, steak and pasta.  I think Decanter went the right direction with this one- 92 points from me and it’s a steal for $10, worthy of 5 stars.  Glad I found it.  Salut….

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Santa Julia Vida Organica Malbec 2018, Mendoza, Argentina

19 Wednesday Jun 2019

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$10, 5 stars, 89 points, Argentina, Malbec, Mendoza


Really bright purple in the glass, nice legs too!  On the nose I get candied plum, oak shavings, blackberry preserves.  On the palate it is quite tart, but interesting.  Plums, ganache, chocolate dust and curt tannins all hit me on the initial.  The mid palate is where the tannic grip takes hold.  Dark stone fruits galore and an astringent tea make up the main profile.  On the finish this wine gives me black olives, plums, tea and that tannic bite which lasts for over thirty seconds.  Not a bad drop.  89 points from me and 5 stars for this $10 Malbec.  Drink now with hearty dishes or cellar medium term for a smoother drinking wine.  Salut….

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Familia Blanco Mairena Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Mendoza, Argentina

14 Thursday Mar 2019

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$18, 2 stars, 86 points, Argentina, cabernet sauvignon, Mendoza


Pretty purple in the glass, quite opaque.  On the nose it is all blackberry.  The initial palate is black cherry, an awkward greenness and tar.  The mid palate offers much the same, with more vegetal notes than I care for.  This wine rates well with the pros at 90+ but I don’t get it.  The finish is sour, green, the tannins are astringent.  Not my cup of tea at all.  There might be some of you who enjoy austere wines, this one might be up your alley.  I’m going 86 points.  For $18, it is a pass from me but you may want to give it a try- 2 stars.  Drink now.  Salut….

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Dona Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina

27 Thursday Dec 2018

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$11, 4 stars, 88 points, Argentina, lujan de cuyo, Sauvignon blanc


Very pale gold.  The nose gives off lemon zest, honeydew, yellow apple. On the palate it defies my expectations with tart citrus, pineapple and ginger.  The wine has a nice acidity and a light mouthfeel, refreshing.  The finish is short and to the point.  That lemony hint comes back and the tang is pronounced.  A very delightful quaffer.  I am going to use some in my cheese fondue recipe.  88 points and 4 stars for this $11 value- drink now.  Salut….

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Diseno Old Vine Malbec 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

17 Friday Aug 2018

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$10, 4 stars, 87 points, Argentina, Malbec, Mendoza


Slightly less opaque than what I was imagining for this Malbec.  Good color though.  The nose has a candy note, some fresh oak and some blackberries.  I’ll admit, the candy part does not appeal to my taste.  On the palate it is quite refreshing, light in body but thick in flavor.  Black berries, kirsch and bramble. There is a chewiness that I am enjoying.  This wine is very dark fruit forward.  Structure-wise it is built for immediate quaffing with very little tannic backbone, very gentle acidity and an easy mouthfeel.  It is not complex but offers easy enjoyment and gets 87 points from me.  For the price under $10 it’s a decent summer barbecue wine that I might take into the fall as an excellent part of coq au vin, even beef burgundy.  I think it would work quite well.  4 stars.  Salut….

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La Mascota Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Maipu, Argentina

11 Thursday Jan 2018

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$16, 4 stars, 89 points, Argentina, cabernet sauvignon


I’m a little nervous about this wine, it was a gift and I just noticed that the cork was pressing up against the capsule, a sure sign of heat stress.

It’s a pretty hue of purple in the glass, which is a good sign.  The nose gives off black berry, mint and licorice.  The palate is fine, no sign of damage, thank goodness.  Bright black berry, some cola, very primal tannins and blueberry pie greet me on the initial palate.  The wine continues the theme on through the mid palate and the tannins start to take over, drying the gums ever so gently.  The texture is nice, if you like a dry wine.  The acidity is barely apparent and offers a nice balance.  The finish is quite long, with nicely interwoven tannins, some blueberry and a herb note.  I think this is a very nice wine, capable of matching most game dishes, a steak all day long, charcuterie would be great or all by itself.  Short term cellaring might soften the tannins but drink by 2020.  89 points and 4 stars for this $16 wine.  Salut….

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