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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2006 and 2010 (based on 22 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 88 pts. and median of 88 pts. in 95 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Hotwhiskey on 6/25/2022 & rated 85 points: 06/2022 I consumed the bottle. Held up fairly well, very dry, meaty wine with lots of smokey dark fruits. Still very palatable a supposed 12 years after recommended drink date (367 views) | | | Tasted by mjpmcnulty on 11/19/2021 & rated 88 points: I found this wine hiding in my cellar and was concerned it would not drink well. I was pleasantly surprised with the maturity and the overall quality for a fairly inexpensive wine. Definitely a hit. (454 views) | | | Tasted by chester100 on 6/28/2015 & rated 89 points: This Malbec held up well. It had a deep rich flavor. Well balanced at 11 years (2541 views) | | | Tasted by callmeacab22 on 4/11/2015 & rated 88 points: The bottle was still in great shape considering it should have been opened 5-7 years ago. A nice solid medium body Malbec. Would definitely try a later vintage of this great value label. (2664 views) | | | Tasted by expres1038 on 2/2/2014 & rated 91 points: Still drank well - surprising well (3644 views) | | | Tasted by Flpjr on 1/1/2013 & rated 85 points: Very cherry. This wine is fruity and not much else. A little acid, no tannins, and no aroma. It drinks fine but nothing special. Very unlike other Malbec. (4230 views) | | | Tasted by joshwoodward on 12/27/2011 & rated 88 points: Pnp. Good structure, good minerality. A little over the hill. Dark chocolate. Decent value for $13 (5169 views) | | | Tasted by MCrawford on 4/24/2011 & rated 89 points: - Ruby color with medium forming legs. It's balanced with a medium/full body. Juicy texture with a medium finish. (3495 views) | | | Tasted by mrswiss on 3/23/2011 & rated 88 points: This still drank well, and I think it will last a few more years. Without food, it was a little chalky, but with the pasta and mushroom dish, and also with chocolate, it had a nice smoothness with some fruit and some nice tannins. (3489 views) | | | Tasted by wr12162 on 11/28/2010 & rated 90 points: very nice. perfect with steak dinner...lots of fruit, spice...good solid malbec. drink now (2964 views) | | | Tasted by cadman on 11/27/2010 & rated 89 points: ELISA loved this at thanksgiving (2273 views) | | | Tasted by bons vinhos on 7/3/2010 & rated 86 points: Day 1 it had too much heat,some fruit,nice color,didn't get in the way of gnocchi with chicken.Day 2 it seemed a bit cold(my mistake),with lots of wood(french oak,first use)and by the last sip it improved,showing some fruit,more like in a port kind of way.If you have a bottle of this,air it up and drink it! (2464 views) | | | Tasted by BYOBrett on 4/11/2010 & rated 86 points: Dark fruit nose with a slightly stinky, baby diaper quality to it and slightly oxidative properties. Nice dark fruit flavors of blackberry and black cherry with black pepper and cinnamon spice with well integrated tannins. Some raisin-like properties coming in on the second glass ... definitely on the back end of it's drinking window. (2686 views) | | | Tasted by BYOBrett on 3/18/2010 & rated 84 points: All fruit nose of blackberry jam with some dried fig thrown in there too. The palate is fruit forward as well ... black cherry and blackberry fruits ... there's a little heat on the mid-palate ... combination of some peppery spice and alcohol heat. A bit one-dimensional but tasty still. Drink last bottle within the next 6 months to a year. (2536 views) | | | Tasted by CocoT on 2/7/2010: Gift to John and Sandi (2639 views) | | | Tasted by golfhawk on 11/8/2009 & rated 88 points: Good Malbec that should be drank over the next year. (2664 views) | | | Tasted by rjonwine@gmail.com on 10/6/2009 & rated 91 points: Wines of Argentina Annual Trade Tasting (Regency Center, San Francisco, CA): Floral, black fruit, chocolate nose; tart berry, black fruit, chocolate palate; medium-plus finish (2380 views) | | | Tasted by Ombibulous on 9/22/2009 & rated 85 points: Perfectly aged. Delicious. Both drank from the bottle and used for stew broth. Very good for both (84.5). (2714 views) | | | Tasted by BYOBrett on 8/1/2009 & rated 85 points: All fruit nose with tons of blackberry jam with just a hint of cinnamon spice. The palate is not quite as jammy as the nose, but it is still very fruit forward with more spice and mint-like tingle on the back end. Decent acidity and well integrated tannins, but still, too jammy for me. (2958 views) | | | Tasted by wilmette vino on 7/26/2009 & rated 89 points: a niced Malbec. Deep purple color, and purple fruit nose that never fully developed. But the taste had dark chocolate and cinnamon notes with nice rich fruit and sizable structure. Moderate length with violet flowery notes. I had half on the first day, and finished it two days later. It held up nicely. This has plenty of time left, and may still be improving. (2848 views) | | | Tasted by sakemakibug on 7/19/2009 & rated 84 points: what's all the williswuchutalkin bout these malbecs? never too exciting as a type/region. (2785 views) | | | Tasted by mouton45 on 6/15/2009 & rated 88 points: Nice but not as good as the Tikal (3027 views) | | | Tasted by lumpkins on 6/10/2009 & rated 89 points: better than I expected - lots of mocha and tannins well integrated. nice surprise. (2941 views) | | | Tasted by hankj on 6/1/2009 flawed bottle: This bottle of Terrazas Reserva had a very mild but unpleasant musty nose and lingering bitter/musty off-flavor in the finish. A second bottle was opened; it had the same characteristics but worse. Of other flavors that could be assessed, tasters noted that this wine was somewhat faded and had a smokier, more cedary, softer profile than the three that follow, with red berry/currant fruit reminiscent of Cabernet.
It is likely that the spoilage in these bottles was due to poor storage by a retailer/wholesaler in Argentina where the wine was purchased, but I'd opt for a newer vintage if trying this one again. (2941 views) | | | Tasted by risaacs on 4/21/2009 & rated 90 points: Best one yet. (3031 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Terrazas de Los Andes Producer website
Cheval des Andes info, which at least as of Dec '19, does NOT show on the link above
Producer Location (Google Maps)2004 Terrazas de Los Andes Malbec ReservaGrown at 3,500 feet elevation, on the terraces of the Andes mountains.
Per back label:
The vineyard has not very deep, sandy-free very permeable soil, important fluctuations between day and night temperatures (27 degrees Farenheit), vines irrigated by traditional system with the Andes melting snow. Ageing 12 months in new oak barrels (90% French, 10% American). Great potential for ageing. ABV 13.5%.Terrazas de Los Andes Malbec ReservaNestled high in the foothills of the Andes, Terrazas de los Andes takes its name from the “terrazas”, a series of terraced plateaus at the foothills of the Andes mountain range, scattered over altitudes ranging from 800 to 1,800 metres. Sourced from variety of vineyards located in the Mendoza sub regions of Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley with vines aged between 20 to 80 years, the 2019 Reserva Malbec was aged in a combination of used French oak for 12 months.
Malbec Varietal character (Appellation America)
One of the traditional “Bordeaux varietals”, Malbec has characteristics that fall somewhere between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A midseason ripener, it can bring very deep color, ample tannin, and a particular plum-like flavor component to add complexity to claret blends. Malbec is a finicky vine whose fruit is prone to rot and mildew in the cool, damp coastal climate of Bordeaux. But ask a Bordelais grower why there’s no Malbec around, and you’ll more likely get a dismissive shrug and sniff than a viticultural analysis. It is known in much of France as Côt, and, in Cahors, also as Auxerrois. There are in fact hundreds of local synonyms, since Malbec at one time was widely planted all over the country. Sensitivity to frost and proclivity to shatter or coulure (a disease that results in premature fruit drop) is the primary reason that Malbec has become a decreasing factor in most of France. Although plantings in the Medoc have decreased by over twothirds since the mid-twentieth century, Malbec is now the dominant red varietal in the Cahors area. The Appellation Controlée regulations for Cahors require a minimum content of 70%. Malbec is also planted in Chile, and there’s relatively little and recent acreage in California and Australia. It is usually blended with other red varietals in these countries. But Malbec truly comes into its own in Argentina, where it is the major red varietal planted. Much of the Malbec vines there were transplanted from Europe prior to the outbreak of phylloxera and most is therefore ungrafted, on its own roots. Sadly, over the years the bug infested Argentina, too, and vineyards are being replanted on resistant rootstock. Happily, the vines thrive in the arid climate of the Mendoza region in the foothills of the Andes. Made in the context of this South American nation’s Spanish and Italian heritage, it produces a delicious wine that has almost nothing in common with Bordeaux except the color. Argentines often spell it “Malbeck” and make wines from it that are slightly similar in flavor to those made in Europe, but with softer, lusher structure, more like New World Merlot. Another difference is that where French examples are usually considered short-lived, Argentine Malbecs seem to age fairly well. Successful Argentine Malbec growers claim that, in order to develop full maturity and distinction, Malbec needs “hang time” even after sugar levels indicate ripeness. Otherwise, immature Malbec can be very “green” tasting, without its characteristic notes of plum and anise. Malbec in Argentina has come to be appreciated for a spicy white pepper characteristic, the aroma of violets, and sweet, jammy fruit. It is a seductive wine that is typically warm and generous in the mouth, with plenty of flesh, and very appealing when young. Almost always producing a ripe and fruity, even plummy wine, Malbec can take oak aging or show well without it; it’s juicy and quaffable when young but can benefit from aging, developing an intriguing complexity with time in the bottle. It can range in price from as little as $7 to more than $75. The true potential of Argentine Malbec, and indeed in the entire spectrum of Argentine wines, is demonstrated by the fact that many of the world’s most renowned winemakers have come to Argentina to make wine. Both the legendary California winemaker Paul Hobbs, and Michel Rolland of Bordeaux, one of the world’s most famous winemakers, have created very high-end Malbecs. It may be the Italian component in the country’s mixed Latin family tree that fosters the fact that Malbec is an exceptional companion with a broad range of food. Its well-balanced fruit-and-acid profile makes it a natural with rare beef (bear in mind that Argentina is cattle country), but it’s just as good with simple fare from burgers to fried chicken. With its natural balance, good pairings include: cajun cuisine, calzones, cannelloni with meat, poultry, vegetable couscous, steak creole, Greek cuisine, deviled eggs, hummus, Indian cuisine, leg of lamb, Mexican cuisine with meat, pâté, spinach soufflé, and hearty pasta. For cheeses, think of harder styles that are either waxed or oiled, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Ricotta Salata, Romano, Asiago, Pont l’Eveque, Gruyere, Manchego, Cantal, Comte, old Gouda, old Cheddar, Baulderstone, Beaufort, Leicester, aged Chesire, Chevre Noir, Wensleydale, Tilsit, Iberico, Mahon, Roncal, and Mizithra.ReservaStill Portuguese table wines of designated origin may also be labelled "reserva", indicating an alcohol content of at least 0.5% higher than the legal minimum established by the respective DOC or VR; however, stricter requirements in individual DOCs may supersede this standard.
(Court of Master Sommeliers)Argentina Wines of Argentina
Argentina has been making wine since the 1500s, tracing its wine heritage back to Spain, France and, perhaps surprisingly, Italy. Italian immigration is second only to Spanish in Argentine culture, and the flavors of Italy show up strongly in the nation’s wine, food and cultural tradition. Historically, Argentina has kept much of its wine consumption at home, drinking most of the wine it makes. But we are now seeing more very serious Argentine wines north of the border, and Malbec is leading the movement. The wine-making region in Argentina ranges between the 22° and 42° South latitude. It spreads at the foothills of the Andean mountain range along over 2,400 km; from the province of Salta to the province of Río Negro, with a variety of climates and soils that makes each region a unique land. In general terms, the areas dedicated to vine cultivation are dry and arid with a low level of rain and humidity, determining factor as regards grape health. Abundant sunny days and thermal amplitude favor a good maturity and concentration of aroma and color in the grain. Soils are deep, permeable and poor in organic matter, decisive qualities at the time of obtaining good wine. Due to the low rain regime, irrigation is necessary. Water comes from the Andean range thaw, descending in the shape of rivers to become channels or ditches. Undoubtedly, the combination of these factors turns Argentina into a veritable oasis for the highest quality wine-making. Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go. Wine-making in Argentina, at the level that it achieves today, has a young history that goes back to a little more than 10 years ago. Technological progress, investment and some farsighted businessmen enabled a determining transformation. The province of Mendoza is the most traditional area in the viticultural industry, and is diverse enough to be divided into zones, according to their significantly different weather, height and soil characteristics. These include the Northern Zone, which is suitable for fruity whites and young reds, at a height from 600 to 700m; the Eastern Zone, with a height ranging from 600 to 700m, and the most productive zone in the province; the Uco Valley, a zone of colder weather and higher altitudes (between 800 and 1,400m over sea level); San Rafael, with heights ranging from 450 to 800m; and the High Zone of the Mendoza River, with heights ranging from 800 to 1,100m over sea level and various microclimates, this is the zone where almost all noble varieties have easily become adapted. It is a region that is remarkably well-suited to vine culture, protected from the Pacific’s cooling influence by the Andes and enjoying a long summer of cool nights and warm days, with a dry summer climate but plenty of water available from the region’s rivers. Malbec in particular is outstanding from this area, and it has clearly emerged as the star, the darling of both consumers and critics.Mendoza Wines of Mendoza |
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