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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 89.6 pts. and median of 90 pts. in 57 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by bigbass250 on 7/21/2021: Home alone with an itching for a glass of wine decided to try this magnum with my coravin, was not expecting much and boy was I surprised. Absolutely loved it, reminded me of when I first tried Malbec many, many years ago before it got popular here. That's when you could get a very good bottle for less than $10 but the liquor stores weren't making a lot at this price point so hard to find consistently. Even this bottle I got at auction for short money with no expectation on my part that it would anything special. (690 views) | | | Tasted by eatdrinkrepeat on 7/26/2020 & rated 87 points: Stumbled upon the bottle in the cellar without even realizing that it was there. The nose was filled with dark fruits but the palette didn't have the same punch. The finish framed by soft tannin was decent. Maybe it's over the hill - should have "found" it a few years earlier. (829 views) | | | Tasted by Csvines87 on 7/15/2019: 4.5 One of my all time favorite Malbecs from Argentina. Smooth, rich, oaky with black cherry hints
Just tried another bottle 2/16/19... still just as good- bold, smooth, long finish... maybe more dark fruit flavors and a little leather.... ???????????? (1122 views) | | | Tasted by Tarpon222 on 5/8/2019 & rated 91 points: very enjoyable. Aging gracefully (1233 views) | | | Tasted by Delaney on 1/1/2019 & rated 92 points: Very good, better than I was expecting. It was a 3.0 L so that might explain a bit why it has held up so well. Good immediately upon opening, but not surprisingly it opened up to more complexity and flavour after about 90 minutes. (1239 views) | | | Tasted by Ed B on 9/20/2016 & rated 91 points: PnP at a dinner party. No detailed notes. Great with paella and everyone raved about it. (2358 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 8/1/2016 & rated 90 points: A bit uninviting and overly firm. Not really my cup of tea, though there is good structure and power. (2357 views) | | | Tasted by Ed B on 12/5/2015 & rated 92 points: PnP while preparing a Mexican dinner. At first I thought I had waited too long; flat, flavorless. Over next 75 minutes before guests arrived, it opened, blossomed and evolved continuously. Most often, dark, tart fruits, with sour cherry and raspberries, but it was different each sip. Guests are arriving, so no more detailed notes. That said, I think the drinking window thru 2019 is about right. (2482 views) | | | Tasted by IAmVintage on 5/26/2015 flawed bottle: Corked, despite being cellared perfectly upon receipt from Wine.com. Stewed vegetate. (2776 views) | | | Tasted by jskuek on 1/28/2015 & rated 90 points: Improved much, very approachable now... Goes extremely well with spicy / grilled food. Very nice Malbac. (2798 views) | | | Tasted by jskuek on 7/24/2014 & rated 89 points: The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are medium. There is heavy sediment in the bottle. It smells like sherry. It tastes like cut green grass and eucalyptus. The body is full. The wine finishes medium. Need a least 2-3 hours decant to get rid of strong tannins. (1792 views) | | | Tasted by rpontual on 2/9/2014 & rated 90 points: Intense dark red, practically opaque. On the nose consists of berries and a touch of oak. On the palate it is well balanced with very approachable and light tannins.
I would not have guessed this a Malbec from Mendoza because it has more body that I normally get from Mendoza wine. It's a very enjoyable light on complexity wine (2185 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 9/2/2013 & rated 91 points: Upon opening, this seemed so firm and devoid of fruit I wondered if I wanted to continue drinking it or not, but after about twenty minutes of decanting it opened up pretty well. This probably needs quite a bit more time in the bottle. Seems like a qood example of a quality and very structured malbec. (2131 views) | | | Tasted by ListenToMeWine on 9/9/2012 & rated 90 points: A nice malnec, some cedar and earth to complement the red fruit and slight currant. Sweet tannin. Was tasted at a party, I think the price point is about 40. (2764 views) | | | Tasted by hpardilla on 8/25/2012 & rated 91 points: Visual: Limpio - Poco Transparente - Consistente - Rojo Violeta
Olfativo: Medio Intenso - Complejo - Fino - Ciruelas, Pimienta Negra, Cigar Box, Madera, Notas Florales (Violetas)
Gusto - Olfativo: Seco - Medio Alcoholico - Suave / Tanico - Fresco - Poco Mineral/ Equilibrado/ Robusto/ Intenso - Pesistente - Fino/ Listo/ Medio Armonico (2714 views) | | | Tasted by darren81 on 8/4/2012: 7/10 - Refer to previous note. Nothing wrong about the wine but nothing exciting either. (2585 views) | | | Tasted by darren81 on 6/18/2012: 7/10 - Sticking by my previous note. Sweet juicy tannins... and errr... that's it. Heat has dialed back a little from the last time, though that's not to say it has gone entirely. Very serviceable but not memorable. (2479 views) | | | Tasted by Duncan on 3/31/2012 & rated 89 points: Intense and lively purple, totally opaque. An exciting and attractive nose consisting of berries of various sorts and a touch of oak. On the palate: lots of intense, ripe fruit. Very fine tannins and not too many of them: the structure comes instead from the concentration of the sweet fruit. Good length, if sweet.
I don't think I would have guessed this a Malbec from Mendoza: i'd probably have said a Shiraz from McLaren Vale... Am I grossly imperceptive, or is my impression a symptom of the wine's 'international-to-a-fault' style?
It's a very enjoyable wine - hedonistic you might say - but I'd need another layer of complexity to justify 90+ points or £30+. (2143 views) | | | Tasted by thegracchi on 1/4/2012 & rated 87 points: Decanted. Drank once with vegetable lasagna, which was not a good pair, as there was not much taste or body to speak of. Drank another bottler with a spicy beef dish, and it tasted much better. Drank a third bottle with barbequed chicken, and it was just okay. I would wait a couple years and drink primarily with spicy meat dishes. (1949 views) | | | Tasted by pc2006mg on 10/18/2011 & rated 92 points: Excellent! (2323 views) | | | Tasted by Hermes_Hsu on 9/15/2011 & rated 90 points: Full body, oaky and spicy, long lasting finish. (2335 views) | | | Tasted by La Cave d'Argent on 7/22/2011 & rated 90 points: This wine was splash decanted and serially tasted over 2-3 hours. The robe is opaque crimson and the nose shows moderately intense blackberry, licorice and chocolate aromas. Full bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, big chewy tannins and well-integrated alcohol (which is listed as 14%). The flavors are black fruit-dominated and the unctuous middle palate has the character of a 50/50 blend of black cherry and anise liqueurs. Medium-length, fairly smooth finish. This is a delicious Malbec with the structure to drink nicely for the next 5-7 years (at least). I should parenthetically add that the shape of the bottle is classy...a straight-sided (non-tapered) Bordeaux bottle with a deep punt. My only complaint about the bottle is that it weighs a ton! Drink now-12/18. (2446 views) | | | Tasted by cbkamp on 12/22/2010 & rated 86 points: Pretty tannic out of the bottle - gave it a cheap taste. Got better after opening up over 2 hrs. Black fruit and spice but didn't take formal notes. (2776 views) | | | Tasted by darren81 on 8/5/2010: 6.5/10 - Pop and poured and immediately very aromatic. Lots of spicy black fruit with a dash of vanilla. I could smell this all day long. A little less exciting on the palate unfortunately. Medium bodied with balanced acidity and decent finish. Could be a little bit more restrained on the heat. Smooth sweet tannins but nothing much else. Will try this again tomorrow to see if it opens up. (3151 views) | | | Tasted by FPNova on 7/5/2010 & rated 91 points: Dark purple. Nose of black cherry and spice. Dense black cherry & spice flavor with a nice & long tannins well balanced w/acidity 91 (3105 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Doña Paula Producer website
Doña Paula was founded in 1997 by the respected South American entrepreneur, Ricardo Claro. The backing of this important enterprise allows Donã Paula to establish itself as a well financed, innovative winery seeking to produce world class wines. the vineyards that were purchased by Mr. Claro are planted with 30 year old, low yielding, top quality vines. The style, quality and value ae directly focused on export markets. Great quality is offered at very reasonable prices.
Winemaking is handled by the highly motivated, educated and experienced Stefano Gandolini and Matias Michelini.
Doña Paula enjoys new, state-of-the-art technology, with over 1 million liters of capacity in 100% stainless steel tanks, and French and American oak barrels.
Doña Paula owns 1878 acres of vineyards in the Lujan de Cuyo and Tupungato regions of Mendoza, at 3200 to 3400 feet of elevation. The Lujan de Cuyo vineyards are adjacent to the Andes Mountains and are thought by some to be among the most beautiful in the world. Tupungato is among the highest altitude terroirs of the most renowned of all wine growing regions of Argentina. These districts of Mendoza are producing intense yet elegant aromas and flavors. Vineyard management at Doña Paula emphasizes maximizing the best varietal characteristics, with extensive care taken to achieve perfect ripeness while maintaining balance and freshness. Grapes are all hand picked.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.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 MendozaValle de Uco On weinlagen-info |
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