April 7, 2024 - Tannic and closed. Decanted over 2 hours. Some licorice and green pepper emerging with a hint of saline. Flawed? I’ve had better bottles of Malleolus from previous vintages in the past. This bottle is the second 2009 that I tried and both were disappointing.
December 27, 2021 - From >25y old vines, treated with French oak, that is fully integrated now, the wine has a lovely mixture of red berries and dark cacao/chocolate aromas. Very delicious and drinking effortlessly, in a great spot for drinking at the moment.
August 1, 2020 - The first bottle I opened was TCA-tainted, but this one was quite nice on its own, served outside on a warm summer evening with cheese, apples, and olives. Slow O'd for an hour, but it continued to benefit from air, and ninety minutes later it had opened beautifully. Delicious.
August 1, 2020 - As soon as I opened the cork I suspected TCA, but had to taste it to make sure. Unfortunately. Sharp and corky. Palate-garbling, it made me question the integrity of the third of my three bottles, But it turned out alright.
February 16, 2019 - P & P. Tannins supple and well-integrated. Beautiful red fruit, very fresh-tasting. My first of three, and eminently ready. Great with appetizers.
September 15, 2018 - What a difference to my last 2 bottles. A real pleasure without it being a great wine. Fresh fruit dominating. In real harmony right now.
May 22, 2018 - Opened, poured and drank. Very forward on the fruity side. But difficult to really taste some terroir. Very little tannin and acidity and the fruit seemed quite developed. I don't think there is any future for this wine. It is a pleasant fruity wine that most people will appreciate. But no distinkt character to make it stand out.
September 26, 2017 - I have no formal note on this, but was tasted recently.
We popped and poured, expecting a wine that would wake up within 60-90 minutes. The wine wasn't giving up much aside from roasted coffee and acidity during this time. We stored the wine in the fridge for 24h and gave it another go. Totally open , well balanced with plenty of dark fruit. I think this wine is deserving of midrange pricing, but I have yet to be convinced of anything more. Not scaling the heights for me, but still a good tinto fino.
Hold to revisit in 2022.
14% abv
January 29, 2017 - Opened, poured into a decanter, and served with food (roast pork shoulder, with platanos y arroz con frijoles, in case you were wondering). Tasted along with a 2008 Bodegas Lan Rioja.
Dark color. Wonderful black cherry and ripe plum and some chocolate notes on the finish. Good acidity. Mouth enveloping, with a good texture and depth of flavors.
The oak had integrated well - much more so than the last bottle I had a few years earlier.
Delicious.
January 4, 2017 - Dark red cherries on the eye. Vibrant. Dark black fruit with a hint of oak on the nose. Excellent dark black fruits and cherries on the palate with broad-shouldered tannins. Excellent balance. We have a few more, and we expect even better results in the coming few years. Very good QPR