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2006 Trumpeter (Familia Rutini) Malbec |
| Vintage | 2006 |  Label 1 of 2   | |
| Type | Red | ||
| Producer | Trumpeter (Familia Rutini) | ||
| Variety | Malbec | ||
| Designation | n/a | ||
| Vineyard | n/a | ||
| Country | Argentina | ||
| Region | Mendoza | ||
| SubRegion | n/a | ||
| Appellation | n/a | ||
| UPC Code | 089046333044 |
| Community Tasting History |
Community Tasting Notes (average 85.8 pts. and median of 86 pts. in 25 notes) | |
| Tasted by dsGris on 12/16/2009 & rated 86 points: 1/2 hr. air time. Ruby color, good nose of flowery cherry, cassis, med. body, stong tannins & acid, sour blackberry, tart hose hip finish, a bit on the raw side, may need some more age to mellow. Much better on the second night. I have taken to blending with a weak Bdx Merlot to produce a nice drinker. (224 views) | |
| Tasted by dsGris on 10/28/2009 & rated 85 points: Deep ruby color, nice nose, young and not too complex, weak finish. OK cheap wine, have had much better, I will let breathe for second night. Age longer. Second night after day of rest; sour cherry with rose hip finish. Better with food, up 1 pt, for 8 bucks, not bad. (315 views) | |
| Tasted by Cobbster on 7/12/2009 & rated 87 points: Consistent with last tasting. (473 views) | |
| Tasted by lumpkins on 5/28/2009 & rated 85 points: (489 views) | |
| Tasted by Cobbster on 5/9/2009 & rated 87 points: Better after some air. Earthy cherry scent with a touch of menthol. Slightly tart thin cherry flavors dominate as the fruit builds and then fades to a soft finish. (614 views) | |
| Tasted by lumpkins on 4/23/2009 & rated 86 points: (592 views) | |
| Tasted by Hi-Ho-Silver on 4/18/2009 & rated 83 points: (599 views) | |
| Tasted by lumpkins on 3/27/2009 & rated 85 points: (684 views) | |
| Tasted by Sijan on 3/13/2009 & rated 86 points: Pretty good (850 views) | |
| Tasted by FPK on 3/10/2009 & rated 86 points: (705 views) | |
| Tasted by StewartWent on 2/12/2009 & rated 84 points: Tough to read this one. A bit on the sweet side on night 1, and I was completely distracted by a burnt rubber note that could have infact been rough oak. Some ok red berry fruits with an earthy edge but the rubber note killed ti for me. Much different wine 24 hrs later. Shy nose and a much tighter palate. Some acid, a bit arkward, but the fruit profile was quite decent; inky, almost thick but medium bodied at the same time, dry, Touches of game and dry prunes.. Too confusing for me. (890 views) | |
| Tasted by lumpkins on 1/21/2009 & rated 87 points: (739 views) | |
| Tasted by Hi-Ho-Silver on 10/31/2008 & rated 84 points: (773 views) | |
| Tasted by MarcoAzevedo on 10/5/2008 & rated 83 points: An honest malbec, plain and simple. (1047 views) | |
| Tasted by jjlobi on 8/23/2008 & rated 86 points: A nice every day wine at a great QPR. Not overly fruity, but pleasant. Would buy again. (1021 views) | |
| Tasted by Reyman on 6/12/2008 & rated 86 points: Same barnyard issues upon opening as mentioned by previous tasters, but it blew off quickly. Unremarkable nose--plum and a bit of tar. Decent cherry and plum fruit on the palate with underlying earth and mineral notes. Moderate acidity. You could do a lot worse at this price point. (1199 views) | |
| Tasted by drgrape on 3/15/2008 & rated 82 points: If 85 is the low end of very good, this is a "good" wine. Not considering price. It may be a very good value, but not a "very good" wine. Very little nose and a nice taste, not lush by any means. It is a "good" everyday wine. (1355 views) | |
| Tasted by Anonymous on 3/15/2008 & rated 85 points: 3/08 Medium to light-bodied - rosey color - hints of cherry - bitey off-balanced finish. 85 pts (1421 views) | |
| Tasted by sstitt on 2/23/2008 & rated 87 points: Medium bodied as everyone has mentioned sweaty socks nose dissapates after about two hrs of decanting. Notes of bitter cherries and plum with a touch of toast on the finish. Wouldn't buy anymore but a very good QPR and would recommend to anyone who buys frequently in this price range. (1460 views) | |
| Tasted by jjlobi on 1/29/2008 & rated 86 points: Second bottle was better than first. Let it open for a while before tasting. The flavor was much more pleasant and held for a second day. (1574 views) | |
| Tasted by jjlobi on 1/23/2008 & rated 85 points: Not a flavor that I typically like. Funkiness dissipated after opening a while. Wasn't bad after that. Don't think I would re-purchase although it's a tremendous value and the bottling is nicely done. (1611 views) | |
| Tasted by Anonymous on 1/18/2008 & rated 89 points: (1209 views) | |
| Tasted by Anonymous on 12/13/2007 & rated 87 points: Pretty simple; lacking complexity, although pretty young I'm not sure this will gain anything with additional time in the bottle. A nice QPR if you like Malbec, but I will not buy it again. (1840 views) | |
| Tasted by Anonymous on 12/10/2007 & rated 88 points: Barnyard nose initially, but this blew off eventually. Excellent value, suggest decanting for an hour or so. (1770 views) | |
| Tasted by Cobbster on 11/24/2007 & rated 89 points: Enjoyable if unsophisticated. (1792 views) |
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About red wine
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. Because if its balance and fruit, 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 and chicken, pâté, spinach soufflé, and 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. 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. Wines of Mendoza Argentine Malbec Producers |
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