--- 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
Posts
This is a weird one. I had this wine a few months ago (picked it up in Halifax), and found that I was not that impressed. Unless I had an earlier vintage (Perhaps). Maybe it was that that I found the Malbec didn't blend well with the typical raisiny flavor of Italian's done in this ripasso style...not sure. I thought it was interesting, but not inclined to buy again
ReplyDeleteSorry...should have said I was referring to the Passo Doble
ReplyDeleteI have found almost all the malbecs available locally are very similar (85-88pt). All solid wines, but... just a hint boring. I keep the trapiche broquel malbec around, as I find it as good as the more expensive ones, especially on day 2. I'd agree with the comments on the Navarro.
ReplyDeleteI like the Broquel also. The Catena, Dona Paula and Trivento are solid, but there is a bunch of Malbecs that are tough to tell apart, and worse of all boring.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Italian wine, I noticed that the NYT wine column today said the 2006 Tommasi Valpolicella Classico Superiore was the best value wine of their 25 bottle tasting. It is available here ($16.29), though I’m not sure of the vintage.
ReplyDelete