Dinner at Malbec in DC
Washington, DC
Tasted Saturday, March 5, 2022 by ericindc with 135 views
Introduction
9 of us got together Saturday night at Malbec, an Argentinean steakhouse in the Dupont area of DC. No theme other than just to bring wines that show well with the food! ... and grilled meats, lots of grilled meats.
Flight 1 - Bunch of reds (8 Notes)
Flight 2 - Dessert Wine (1 Note)
The red was a bit simple, but it went very well with chocolate cake!
Closing
My WOTN was the 2016 El Enemigo Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard, with #2 being the 2012 Saxum Broken Stones, and #3 the 2019 P.S. Garcia Petit Verdot Piedra Lisa. I have to say, the Petit Verdot was a huge surprise. Great time was had.
2011 Montes Purple Angel 87 Points
Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley
This was too fruity for me. The fruit was severely out of balance with the acid and tannins. It also had a candied quality that didnt really work for me. Those at the dinner that liked frutier wines liked this one. I also found it a little hot.
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2010 Turley Petite Syrah Library Vineyard 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
To me this was still a bit too young. Huge fruits, big tannis, but still had some balance. Did have a bit of heat. Overall quote a nice wine, if not my style. Give it another 10 years and some mature notes might give more balance.
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2010 Viña Cobos Malbec Bramare Lujan de Cuyo 89 Points
Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
Odd duck, this one. Very weird when opened and never really came around except with food. Had nice big fruit and moderate tannins but it felt unbalanced except with the food.
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2000 Viña Almaviva S.A. Almaviva 90 Points
Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto
This was a good wine, but wow this was young for 22 years. Probably needs 10 more. Certainly modern in that the fruit was big, tannins have moderated, but I didnt notice any real tertiary notes as yet. It could have used a bit more acidity and honestly, I had a hard time identifying the blend. I didnt notice a ton of oak, but did see some chocolate hints.
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2015 Gustafson Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Drinking pretty well, and still very young. Obviously cabernet, and had heavy cali fruit, but was well balanced with moderate tannins and acidity. First time having this producer, but it was solid.
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2019 P.S. Garcia Petit Verdot Piedra Lisa 91 Points
Chile, Itata Valley
This was excellent. Really held its own against some heavy hitters. Pure blue/red fruits, strong but not overly extracted, very velvety tannins, good minerality and moderate acidity holding it all together. It was quite refined and elegant, all things considered. This doesnt seem like a super long ager, but i think it would be a solid 10 yr wine.
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2012 Saxum Broken Stones 93 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Quite nice. This was fascinating. This was big, but still had an elegance about it with red, black and even blue fruits evident over the night with no noticeable heat. It had a interesting change from when it was first opened to the last drink 4 hours later. At first it was more grenache-y and dominated by the sweet red fruits, but over time, the more meaty, darker, black fruit of the syrah took over at about hour 3. Still totally fruit driven, no mature notes yet. No rush to drink this. It will be fine for at least 10 more years. Not exactly sure what full maturity would look like for this wine.
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2016 El Enemigo Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Gualtallary 94 Points
Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Gualtallary
One of the best "new world" cab francs I've had. Full of great fruit, but not overpowering, a hint of green, but not alot (I for the record, I like the green). Moderate tannins, with a solid acid cut. Very nice wine.
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