Dinner at Tango Sur with roommate & neighbors

A roommate & I went out with 2 of the neighbor girls to check out Tango Sur, an Argentinian BYO we had all heard great things about. Knowing the food was going to be primarily beef with possibly interesting sauces gave the chance to play with some pairing options.

• 2006 Alamos Malbec 86 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  Nose of dark fruit, some obvious plum, and a good touch of cedar. The taste starts with the dark fruit--plums & dark berries--and ends with a good mix of acidity & spice with just a slight tannic grip that is very smooth. Just medium bodied. Did each thing pretty well and like that it displays multiple flavors.

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• 2005 Castell del Remei Costers del Segre Gotim Bru 86 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Costers del Segre

  Good nose of cherry and sweet oak with a little hint of the bark / earth tones I noticed in the previous bottle I'd had. Light bodied in a good way, the red fruits & nice oak flavors play out nicely to an enjoyable finish that is elegant and grips pretty well. This paired very well with a dish of steak, chimichurri, and marsala.

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• 2004 d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original Shiraz/Grenache 87 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Nose of cherry & slight raspberries with some oak notes in there--not quite chocolate covered cherries, but there is a hint of chocolate. Tasting brings those components in with a good mouthfeel. Very obvious and enjoyable cherry throughout with a decent pepper touch thrown in. Good acid and a very nice finish that keeps up the flavors--not just acid & alcohol. The big sour cherry didn't let it pair well with a steak dish, but it went great with a coconut dessert.

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The Castell Remei & Catnea Malbec paired the greatest by far. The Malbec was gone by the time we finished appetizers, but it went surprisingly well with the eggplant dish (included spinach & artichoke / cheese sauce) as well as various empinadas. The Shiraz / Grenache blend was probably the best wine, but didn't give our main course of chimichurri stuffed filet covered in marsala any chance to really shine. However, the Castell did so beautifully--one of the better food & wine pairings I've had the chance to try. Very interesting and educational to try multiple wines across a few dishes.