Actually thought this was quite nice. There's a lot of really bad Malbec out there; this was pleasant drinking. This wine shows very nice dark color, and a faint, spicy nose. Lots of dark fruit, but not overly fruity or jammy at all. Tannins still fairly assertive. Fairly substantial wine, with enough structure and balance to mask the hefty 14% ABV, Not hot all. Especially nice on the finish, which is moderately long. Wine has a fair degree of acidity and nice balance, but lacks complexity. Should be noted that this did not show well upon opening, and took about two hours to come into its own. Still tastes like a young wine, and may have another three or four years left in it.
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Every so often I get the urge to do another "Andean" and off I go (mostly to Argentina but occasionally Chile).
At least in my defense this time: I avoided the extra thick Llama bottles and instead got one with "Our label features an artist's rendition of the unique architecture of our winery, built with hand-stacked stones from the Andes mountains." Actually the property is owned by the Spanish black cava megastars of Codorniu fame and was initially received very positively.
However, st 5 years this entry level Malbec was fairly neutral. Good color but the taste was simple, fruity, very straightforward, with only vague hints of leather, tar or anything else resembling 'interesting".
This winery makes so many different cuvees (good, better, even a little more better, still betterer, nice, almost our best and best) that I can only imagine what ends up in this version..... Oh well, not every one can be a Perrin Family.
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The only reason to drink this wine is to get the alcohol! High tannins mask some cherry flavors that don't come through without a lot of time in your mouth. Could be a wine to consume with sweet spareribs to take advantage of the tannins but I know better choices. I got this from American Cellars Wine Club and it is one of the poorest selections I ever received from them.
Other than that, if you want alcohol in your system, go for Everclear... it's cheaper and tastes better.
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Drank over two days. Slightly better the second day. A simple, everyday drinking Malbec. Good value at $9.50, but not a memorable Malbec. Pleasant taste, but flavors break up over the palate. No finish.
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I just belched up a bunch of Thai basil. Didn't help the Malbec. Shows a bit green on the aftertaste. Chunky with big fruit in the mid palate, doesn't really show Malbec to me. Fine at $10.
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1/30/2016 - daver852 wrote: 87 Points
Actually thought this was quite nice. There's a lot of really bad Malbec out there; this was pleasant drinking. This wine shows very nice dark color, and a faint, spicy nose. Lots of dark fruit, but not overly fruity or jammy at all. Tannins still fairly assertive. Fairly substantial wine, with enough structure and balance to mask the hefty 14% ABV, Not hot all. Especially nice on the finish, which is moderately long. Wine has a fair degree of acidity and nice balance, but lacks complexity. Should be noted that this did not show well upon opening, and took about two hours to come into its own. Still tastes like a young wine, and may have another three or four years left in it.
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3/27/2015 - espesq Likes this wine: 89 Points
This wine is coming into its own. Descriptions of others are accurate. Acidity is softening as it ages.
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3/9/2014 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 85 Points
Every so often I get the urge to do another "Andean" and off I go (mostly to Argentina but occasionally Chile).
At least in my defense this time: I avoided the extra thick Llama bottles and instead got one with "Our label features an artist's rendition of the unique architecture of our winery, built with hand-stacked stones from the Andes mountains." Actually the property is owned by the Spanish black cava megastars of Codorniu fame and was initially received very positively.
However, st 5 years this entry level Malbec was fairly neutral. Good color but the taste was simple, fruity, very straightforward, with only vague hints of leather, tar or anything else resembling 'interesting".
This winery makes so many different cuvees (good, better, even a little more better, still betterer, nice, almost our best and best) that I can only imagine what ends up in this version..... Oh well, not every one can be a Perrin Family.
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7/30/2013 - rebelvines Likes this wine: 88 Points
Started fruity and finished dusty.
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1/6/2013 - ChipGreen wrote: 90 Points
Plums and other dark fruits abound in this plush, multi-layered Malbec which is drinking wonderfully right now. Delicious!
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12/1/2012 - majjaz wrote: 78 Points
Low aroma despite the high alcohol, 14%. Medium finish and tannins, a little tart. Paired well with pizza.
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6/27/2012 - Dclarkabal wrote: 85 Points
Smooth, plum and blackberry
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4/22/2012 - tbailey540 wrote: 84 Points
Heavy tannins and acid light on fruit not like the past
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12/3/2011 - whoosey wrote: 90 Points
Quite good
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11/14/2011 - Buick455 wrote: 84 Points
Same as previos note. Nice Malbec.
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10/11/2011 - Ajplay3 wrote: 90 Points
Deep coloration; strong characteristics. I really enjoyed it.
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8/30/2011 - sniffy wrote: 86 Points
initial taste - hot, burn, thought i should open something else instead.
5 hours later, not-decanted but just uncorked - really mellowed out, but the heat is still there. much more enjoyable and drinking like a 88/89.
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7/21/2011 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 83 Points
2011 Wine Bloggers Conference International Tasting (Omni Hotel, Charlottesville, Virginia): Dark ruby color; focused, ripe plum, oak, baked plum nose; surprisingly light bodied, red plum, vanilla, apricot palate; medium finish
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7/8/2011 - Caroline.hayes wrote: 80 Points
Acidic smell and taste
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6/26/2011 - Buick455 wrote: 84 Points
Simple, easy drinking. A bit to much alcohol.
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5/28/2011 - RogerO wrote: 86 Points
Decent bottle of Malbec. Good fruit, a little skimpy on the finish but nothing unpleasent about it at all. Good every day drinker.
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5/11/2011 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
On the spice side, with structure showing. Not in a bad way. Works at $9.99. Doesn't quite work at $12.
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3/18/2011 - jamesgremillion wrote: 60 Points
The only reason to drink this wine is to get the alcohol! High tannins mask some cherry flavors that don't come through without a lot of time in your mouth. Could be a wine to consume with sweet spareribs to take advantage of the tannins but I know better choices. I got this from American Cellars Wine Club and it is one of the poorest selections I ever received from them.
Other than that, if you want alcohol in your system, go for Everclear... it's cheaper and tastes better.
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2/28/2011 - wcf1946 wrote: 82 Points
Drank over two days. Slightly better the second day. A simple, everyday drinking Malbec. Good value at $9.50, but not a memorable Malbec.
Pleasant taste, but flavors break up over the palate. No finish.
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11/18/2010 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
I just belched up a bunch of Thai basil. Didn't help the Malbec. Shows a bit green on the aftertaste. Chunky with big fruit in the mid palate, doesn't really show Malbec to me. Fine at $10.
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