Don David Malbec 2007

While the rest of us are finally back to red wine, we haven't forgotten Iron Chef. I've noticed this wine on the shelves, but haven't tried it yet. Iron Chef liked it, but I must say that from the description it doesn't sound like my style.

BTW, anyone try any more of the Wine Expo wines? There are still some around, though they seem to be disappearing fast. Let's hear your views on these wines before they're gone!

--- Iron Chef's Review ---

Nose- Deep aromas of extracted cherries and cassis. The oak smelled wonderful also. Great Opening to this wine.
Taste- Dark fruit, cherries mixed in with a warm wood palate. Reminded me of a good Aussie Shiraz- some Cherry Cola mixed in with a Cherry Blossom chocolate bar. Long rich finish.
Overall- Very thick and complex fruit forward bomb. A bottle from Kelly at the Blue Door.

Price: $16.99
Score: 90
Value: 4.5/5
Region: Argentina, Cafayate Valley
Alcohol: 14%
UPC: 7790189001129

Las Moras Black Label Malbec 2006

When I received this review, the Las Moras Black Label sounded familiar, so I searched the blog and discovered that Kelly and I had it at the wine show and liked it. Good to have a full review.

--- Iron Chef's Review ---

Nose: Freshly cracked black pepper, powdered Cocoa- like Quick. Raisiny fruit. Powerful and heady- quite a whiff of alcohol.
Taste: Highly extracted jammy black fruit. Cola flavours. Some sweet Grenadine notes. Good strength in the Tannins, somewhat grippy. Tobacco and some medicinal flavours in the end of the palate.
Overall- I enjoyed this, some of the sweeter notes were balanced off by the strong tannins. Thought this had a depth of taste to support the price. I would buy it again. Good choice for bold tasting foods, paired with a Blue Cheese Crusted steak.

Price: $17.99
Value 4/5
Score 89
Region: Argentina, San Juan Valley
Alcohol: 14%
UPC: 7791540091889

Masi Tupungato Passo Blanco 2008

This has not been a good week for me wine-wise. I've had four different wines- why so many? Because I keep pouring them out. A bottle of the Anheuser Riesling was badly corked. Then there was the Masi Rosato. Then a bottle of 89RP rated wine picked up in New Hampshire that was undrinkably wretched. Then this. This wine is made by Masi in Argentina. It is a blend of Pinot Grigio and Torrontes, and that is what it tastes like. But not in a good way. It starts off crisp but neutral, like a typical Pinot Grigio in this price range, but then finishes with a sharp sour sherry (not cherry) taste that I attribute to the Torrontes. Not good. Kelly's reaction to her first sip was "Did you buy this wine to cook with?" Answer: No. For less money I can get a cooking wine that I can actually drink.

Price: $18.79
Score: 78
Value: 1/5
Region: Argentina
UPC: 8002062001768

Las Moras Pinot Grigio 2008

To celebrate the two days of sun we just had, here is a review of a summer white, in the ever-popular "value" category.

--- CMacdonald's Review ---

Appearance: Medium intensity pale straw yellow with green tint.

Aroma: Pleasant. Med. Intensity dominated by non-citrus fruit. (I said peaches, my wife said pears). Overall a lot more aroma than the typical pinot grigio.

Taste: Lots of flavor for a pinot grigio. Medium bodied with moderate acidity (it held up well with soft goat cheese). Dry, short-med fruity finish. Tasty, crisp without being lean.

Price: $9.99
Value: 5/5
Score: 87
Alcohol: 12.5%
Region San Juan, Argentina
Tasted: May, June & July 2009
ANBL UPC: 7791540091193

Casa de Campo Reserve Shiraz 2006

I'm not drinking much red wine these days - I fact, I'm not drinking that much wine at all, and when I do it's usually white. So good thing Iron Chef is still at it.

--- Iron Chef's Review ---

Nose: Smelled like a Syrah- Cola scented and some wild meat favours. Green Peppers and Toasty Oak.
Palate: Herbal notes, some gamey elements. Well rounded toasted oak. Some sweet candied favours.
Overall: a normal new world wine except for the roasted wood favours that I liked. Worth a try. Not decanted.

Price: $14.29
Score 86
Value 3/5
Region: Argentina, Mendoza
Alcohol 14%
UPC #7790762050186

Malbec Revival: Navarro Correas Privada Malbec 2007 & Masi Tupungato Passo Doble 2007

Here’s a Malbec twofer from Iron Chef.

--- Iron Chef’s Review ---

We have gotten away from one of our fav grapes so we compared the Navarro Correas Privada recommended by Trevor and Aaron at the Prospect store and the Masi Tupungato Passo Doble to re-introduce ourselves two Malbecs. (Pun)

Navarro Correas Privada Malbec 2007

Nose: Heavily extracted cherries, faint pepper and medicinal qualities. Lavender and other perfumes. Crushed gravel tannins. Smells grrreat. Beautiful purple colour.
Taste: Dr Pepper or Cherry Coke, some twiggy tannins. Cough Syrup. Good tannins but a bit sweet.
Overall, I value the recommendations I get at the Prospect store from Trevor and Aaron. This was a steady wine that many if not most people would like- very mainstream taste. The nose was better than the slightly boring taste- The smell wrote a cheque that the taste could not cash- to use a banking term. Cork was good. Decanted for 35 minutes.

Price: $15.49
Score: 86
Value: 2.5/5
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Alcohol 13.9%
UPC: 811405010101

Masi Tupungato Passo Doble 2007

Nose: Dried Roses, Dried Prunes, Crushed Dark Fruit. Some slatey aromas. Smelled fantastic- thoughts of a young Barbaresco.
Taste: Dried Prunes and cherries. Tobacco and leather. Strong Tannins on the front jaw. Mahogany wood. Some Juvenile astringencies that should round out with time. Woow- tastes like a young Barbaresco too.
Overall: This was not a great comparison; the Masi employed an interesting combination of Malbec and Corvina grapes - made in the Ripasso method. Very different to the Narrarro. But the Masi was absolutely fantastic. A real special wine. One of the better Young Reds I have had in a while. Good Cork, decanted for 35 minutes. SAQ Lists for- $16.65

Price: $18.49
Score: 91
Value: 5/5
Region: Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina
Grapes: 65% Malbec, 30% semi-dried Corvina, 5% Merlot
Alcohol: 13.5%
UPC: 8002062001607

Clos de Los Siete 2005

--- A Review from Vasco da Gama ---

This is an interesting blend of Malbec, Cab, and Syrah from one of the most renowned wine producers/consultants on the planet Michel Rolland. I was anxious to try this wine, and could no longer resist, so I tried this fresh out of the bottle last night - The cork and wine are both a very dark purple. This wine has a beautiful smell of vanilla, gravel, dark berries, ripe plum and licorice with a hint of smokiness (on the 2nd glass I picked up the scent of cherry blossom or cherry nibs, as well as tar). The blackberries, licorice, and dark cherries come through on the palate with good refined tannins and balanced acidity. A beautiful full bodied red with a nice long dark chocolate finish. This is a superb and complex wine to drink now, but I suspect it will only get better over the next few years into 2015 or so. Will have to try another bottle again a few years down the road to see if it doesn't have even more character to it. Although the price of $33.29 is not cheap, for the quality you are getting I would say this is great wine and an excellent value, and I like the label :-)

Price: $33.70
Score: 93
Value: 4.5/5
Region: Argentina
Grape: Malbec, Cabernet, Syrah
UPC 7798104410179

Dona Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc 2008

This wine was recommended to us by Aaron, the wine consultant at Prospect St. It has very good Sauvignon Blanc character - Kelly recognized it right off. It is in the New Zealand style, but without excessive sharpness that you sometimes find. It doesn’t have a lot of complexity, but it has some good character, good balance, and doesn’t have what Kelly calls “that cheap wine flavour.” Outstanding value. I may even be rating it too low because I know the price.

Price: $14.49
Score: 88
Value: 5/5
Region: Argentina
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Tasted: March 2009
UPC: 836950000087

Urban Uco Malbec 2005

Here's another review from Peanutman. On the issue of the ANBL website, I've noticed before that the vintage dates are quite unreliable. My guess is that they put the right vintage up when the product gets listed, but the vintage doesn't always get updated when a new vintage comes in.


--- Peanutman's review ---

Urban Uco Malbec 2005 - Argentina's Uco Valley (It states 2004 on the NBLC website, but bottle is an 05)

I had a bottle of this Malbec last year and I thought it was really good. At that time, it wasn't available in NB, but I noticed it at the Wine Festival in Mct and today at the NBLC. It is a deep dark purple. My nose was working today and it had a hint of a flowery bouquet dominated by blackberries. The taste, intense blackberries and a little spicy. Maybe a little bit of a plum taste, but I couldn't really tell. There is a little acidity and some soft tannins. I thought there was just enough oak to give a little bit of the vanilla taste. I have a feeling this bottle might even be better in 6 months to a year. If you like Malbec, I don't think you can go wrong for the price. I would rate it a 4 out of 5 for value and give it an 87 (I'm sort of stuck on that number)

Retail Price: $12.79
Score: 87
Value: 4/5
Region: Argentina, Uco Valley
Grape: Malbec
UPC: 7798098891053

Novecento Malbec 2007

We're having a good run with reasonably priced value wines this week. In keeping with that theme, here's a review from Michelle.

--- Michelle's Review ---

While perusing the selection at ANBL recently, I came across the Value Table at the Dieppe location. Now usually I overlook the value wines, because GASP, they aren’t usually that good. I know, I know. I should be more open minded. But alas on this day, I was. So I picked up a bottle. Much to my surprise, this wine was actually good. Lots of lively fruit with a smooth finish. It’s a very pleasant wine. Nothing offensive or really anything you have to think about while drinking it. Makes you go “hhmmmm, $9.99, eh?” That’s about it. So for a 5/5 value rating and about an 85 on the taste scale for me, I really recommend you pick up a bottle or two or three.

Retail Price: $9.99
Score 85
Value 5/5
Region: Argentina
Grape: Malbec
Tasted: Feb 2009
UPC: 7790717152002

Dona Paula Los Cardos Syrah 2007

Here's another review from Iron Chef. It doesn't make me want to try the Los Cardos . . . but the Palo Alto is another question. I had that on my "to try" list and never got around to it - sounds like I should.

--- Iron Chef's Review ---

Dark to Purple-ish colour. Smells of Meat Pies from Northern NB- Gamey, wild aromas- Deer Meat. Black Ground Pepper. Warm Blueberry Pie with vanilla ice cream. Some stemmy notes. Very similar to the Palo Alto from Chile- less extracted but more fragment. Good tannins and surpringly good acidity. Mahogany Wood favours. Looking back, I should have rated the Palo Alto higher – 87-89 – that’s what you get from perspective. Finish is shorter than I would have guessed from the Nose- more woody and tannic as it sits opening up. First glass was much better than 1 hour in. Overall not the wine that the Palo Alto is …but good. I find “New world’ syrahs to be fun glasses of wine- this is fun- but there is better for cheaper at ANBL.

Price: $17.49
Score: 85
Value: 3.4/5
Region: Lujan De Cuyo – Mendoza – Argentina
Grape: Syrah
Alcool: 14%
UPC: 836950000032

Trapiche Viña Victorio Coletto Malbec 2004

Malbec is one of the six grape varieties permitted in Bordeaux, although it has declined in popularity in France, apparently because its susceptibility to frost and disease makes it difficult to produce well there.

In recent years, Malbec has been gaining traction as a varietal, particularly in Argentina. Malbec is the most planted red grape variety in there, even thought its plantings were reduced by more than tenfold during the 1980's through a vine pull program (that is, a scheme in which growers receive incentives to pull out vines, usually instituted to counter overproduction or encourage growth of more popular varieties).

I usually think of Malbec as South America's version of Australian Shiraz: fruity, smooth, and flavourful, but not usually very complex or interesting. I'm not sure if that's what Malbec is typically like, but that has been my experience. But this wine is not at all like that. Rather, it's fairly complex, well structured, and full of interesting flavours. The nose is lush, yet elegant, with blackberries, coniferous forest, tobacco, licorice, pepper, cloves, and tar. There is isn't quite as much on the palate as the nose, but it also is fruity, yet structured, and also clear and long, finishing with puckeringly firm tannins.

There is a lot to like about this wine. Also, it goes nicely with dark chocolate.

Price: $40.43
Value: 3.5/5
Score: 91
Alcohol: 15%
Grape: Malbec
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Tasted: Dec 21 2008
UPC: 7790240091625

O Fournier Alfa Crux Malbec 2004

I picked this up from the liquidation table last winter. Note that the Alfa Crux Malbec I'm reviewing here is a completely different wine from the Alfa Crux blend that is currently available at ANBL - the blend is 50% Tempranillo with the rest Malbec and Merlot, while this is varietal Malbec. We tried this for the first time at a tasting with half a dozen other sale wines. This was my favourite and I ran out and got six more bottles. This is the first time I've had it since then.

It's very well balanced wine that somehow manages a lush feel and grippy tannins at the same time. Good flavours in what I think of as the "bass notes" end of the spectrum. Not a lot of complexity. Reminds me of a Madiran in structure - the Montus in particular (Iron Chef might like this one).

This is what Kelly had to say: "Red berries, herbs, leather , and new sneaker on nose follow through on palate, although palate is largely berry. Clear flavor, well balanced, ending with firm tannins. Opened up after an hour or so to be smoother, longer, and fruitier. Vesper got rotting fruit and chalk."

On the whole, this is a very solid Malbec, but after tasting it for the second time, I'm not completely sure why I ran out to buy 6 more bottles the first time I tried it. But hey, Wine Spectator gave it a 93(!) and says it will be best from 2009-15. So maybe I'll wait a few years before I try it again.

Price: Approx $30 (Liquidation price)
Value: 3/5
Score: 89
Alcohol: 14.5%
Tasted: Oct 2008
ANBL UPC: No longer available

Finca Flichman Dedicado 2004

The Dedicado, the flagship wine from Finca Flichman, is 60% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah.

Kelly and I saw eye to eye on this wine. It has excellent balance and structure with smooth ripe tannins. Some floral notes, with dark fruit, though it's not fruit driven - more of an old world style. The flavours on the palate are distinct and clean, and a clear chocolate note is dominant. Despite the Cab content, it has none of the harshness that I often associate with Cab.

The only negative about the wine is that there isn't a lot of complexity, which is why we didn't score it higher. But I have to say, every time I drank a mouthful, I gave a little "hmmm" of pleasure. No one can resist chocolate. Yummy.

Julia Harding (with Jancis Robinson) gives it a 16.5/20

Price: $38.29
Value: 3/5
Score: 88
Alcohol: 14.5%
Tasted: Oct 2008
ANBL UPC: 7790470080574

Bodegas Norton Privada 2004

Wine Spectator really liked this wine - gave it a 90 - but I was underwhelmed. It's a blend of 40% Malbec, 30% Merlot and 30% Cab, but I could hardly tell. To me it was just a generic "international style" wine; soft, easy drinking and nondescript. Reminded me of the High Trellis and the Gnarly Old Vine Zin (though the Privada is a bit better balanced than the Zin - not quite as cloying). What's going on? Am I becoming a Euro-wine snob, always moaning about how new world wines just don't have 'elegance' and 'terroir'? Well, I am what I am, as Popeye said. Nothing really wrong with this style, though it doesn't appeal to me. But if this is a style you like, I'd say you might as well save a few bucks and go for the High Trellis instead. Jancis Robinson gave it a 16.5/20, which I think is more reasonable than the WS score. I gave the High Trellis 3/5 for value, but this one is just a few dollars more and I'm feeling a bit cranky, so I'm going to give this one 2/5, though it's a close call. For better value from the same producers, try their Barbera. Kelly tasted it blind and agreed with me on the score.

Price: $28.29
Value: 2/5
Score: 86
Alcohol: 14.5%
Tasted: Sept 2008
ANBL UPC: 7792319678027

Bodega Catena Zapata Catena Malbec 2005

Malbec is the signature grape of Argentina and Bodega Catena Zapata is one of the most respected producers. Their Catena line makes its reappearance at ANBL after an absence of a year or so. With that said, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with this wine, not because it's bad, but because it's not as good as I remember. I remember loving it the last vintage I had, which I think was the 2004. This time I found it to be very lush and soft, with decent fruit, but a bit generic and lacking in character. It reminded me of the High Trellis cabernet. But hey, Wine Spectator gave a score of 90 to both the '04 and the '05, so its probably just my memory playing tricks. But just to prove my independence, I'm going to give it an 86 anyway. It's probably just a matter of style and mood. If you want something lush, soft and fruity, this may be the wine for you.

Here's Kelly's note: "Promising nose of raspberries, spruce, and spice follows through in palate, but not quite as lush and flavourful as expected. Firm tannins, clear taste. Not overly complex. Score: 87"

Price: $25.49
Value: 3/5
Score: 86
Alcohol: 13.5%
Tasted: Sept 2008
ANBL UPC: 089046444030

Las Moras Reserve Malbec 2006

Malbec is the signature grape of Argentina, but that doesn't guarantee brillance every time. A heavy style (I'd say powerful, but it didn't quite reach that level), I thought it was reasonably smooth if nonedescript. But it wasn't a favourite at the BBQ - "communion wine" was the word. Perfectly reasonable at the price, but nothing to get excited about.

Price: $12.79
Value: 3/5
Score: 83
Alcohol: 13.5%
Tasted: August 2008
ANBL UPC: 7791540090066

Bodegas Norton Barbera 2007

I hate to buy wine when I go out to dinner, because pretty much nothing is good value at 100% markup - this wine is the rare exception. I chose it at the Blue Door, largely because it was the cheapest (sorry, least expensive) wine on the house wine list. What a very pleasant surprise. Barbera is perhaps not very well known. Its original home is as the second grape of Piedmont (after Nebbiolo), but it appears to have found second home in Argentina. This wine is medium bodied with clean fresh fruit and very good balance. Went very well with the food and at the price you don't have to worry if you feel like gulping it down. Outstandingly good value. Normally you would have to get into the $20+ price range for a wine of this quality.

Price: $13.29
Value: 4/5
Score: 86
Tasted: August 2008
ANBL UPC: 7792319064042