Delicious. Great balance and integration with muted but distinct purple fruits and overtones of dried herbs. The soft furry tannins and bright tanginess provided excellent structure and length.
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Not my grape. Stuck cork, had to damn-near break the bottle to get it out. Blasted with oak and smoke. Other than that it was herbs and vegetables, and could probably stand a few more years in the bottle. Not my cup of tea, so take this with a grain of salt. I usually love high-acid wines, but found this tangy and distracting for some reason -- just didn't seem that the zing played well off the varietal. Not something I'd drink again, though it didn't seem like a bad example of the genre.
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Occasional tasting group: Just training our blind tasting skills. (@ EvA): Ruby colored. A somewhat sweet, but elegant bouquet with berry fruit and some white pepper. On the palate red as well black forest fruits, minerals and some spiciness and a firm amount of tannin. The wine is clearly too young because over a day it changed completely. Just after opening very primary and quite one dimensional to more complex on day two with still a firm bite because of the tannin. Will probably never be very elegant, but certainly a pleasure drinking when the tannin softened a bit.
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Popped & poured. Very tight initially, but opened to reveal a nose of black cherries, black tea & spice. Likewise on the palate, with a definite vegetal component. Drinkable, but nothing special.
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Smoky, dark fruit, both in color, and aroma. A little strong on first taste,, but openning nicely after a short visit in the glass. Soft leathery taste, them prunes, and little back note of brighter berries, and coffee. Easy to get used to.. a nice compliment to some chili, and cool weather.
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Not huge in body, this wine matches dark fruit with more complex vegetal flavors like bell pepper. Long finish with ample tannins. We found this bottle more enjoyable on the second day of drinking, showing potential for aging. A couple hours of decanting will help.
Read my review: http://tinyurl.com/2at3hya
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The feel of the bottle in your hand does not register in most cases, not the case here as it is a nice heavy bottle (requiring a few extra carbon offsets) indicative of the quality you hope to find inside. This wine has a nose of dark berries, dusty chocolate and black pepper. The palate, while a bit hot, is smooth and full of big & bold fruits with well managed acidity and tannins to help maintain balance. Oak is present, but well used, providing creaminess and just a touch of sweetness on a dry, spicy, leathery finish. A brooding wine that could knock you over with fruit if it pleased that instead chooses to show restraint and layers of flavor. All the right characteristics here and good now but my inclination is that this one will benefit with another year in the bottle.
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not memorable (first tasting). Second tasting, maybe the bottle had been opened a bit longer, and it seemed a bit more mellow and fruity. A tiny bit flowery but not bad overall - maybe I was overly critical?
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Bright nose of Blackberry, Coffe, Leather and white pepper. The wine is well balanced with silky smooth tannins and great freshness. The finish is gracefull with notes of leathery spice. Very good Malbec will most definitely buy some more.
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Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of violets, black berries, spices and black cherries. Flavors of black berries, black cherries and plums. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink over the short term perhaps into the medium term. Nice wine for the price tag.
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Great Malbec. Makes me want to visit Argentina, and open my bottle of the DOC. Haven't tried higher end Malbecs, but if this is $18, can't wait for $26-30!
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nose has notes of coffee, chocolate, and herbs. Taste of dark fruit, esp prunes, with a distinct meaty note. Fully bodied, lots of fruit, smooth tannins.
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Nose of cocoa dusted dried berries. Fresh flavors with a slight tartness on the finish. With some air, the finish brings out some nice chocolaty notes. Still young.
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Good, basic Malbec--dark red fruit with some other dark fruits throughout. Good sense of woodsmoke on the nose. Borderline juicy in the mouth, but is met with some smoke & slight meatiness on the finish. Some tannin & well-structured acid on the back end. Medium finish. Went well with a meaty stew and a strong white cheese.
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In this price range, this is one of my favourites. It does not only have the fiery black fruit but also a meaty vitality that you often find in better malbec, beyond the oak and the sweet fruit.
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Tasted surprisingly like an indifferent southern rhone. dry sour cherry etc. Not what I want in a Malbec, to say the least. Far more sour then was pleasant
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Ruby red in colour, this Malbec shows dark berries, coffee and mocha on the nose. The palate is elegant and round with sweet tannins. Some white pepper and toasty oak characters, lacking a little in the middle perhaps.
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The nose had black currant and pepper, some cranberry and vanilla, and a nice earthy aroma at the end. The palate was rich and juicy, and had pepper, black currant, cranberry, vanilla, earth, and a pleasant spicy finish.
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Very good full bodied Malbec, bouquet of dark cherry and plum, black pepper with a hint of cloves and leather. Opens up well to yield strong fruit flavors with good balance and nice tannins
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Had a glass at Cru in Vancouver. Ate with a nice fillet. I couldn't get a handle on the nose... Maybe cherry, yep that is it, cherries. Was quite tangy, more than what I like.
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9/29/2013 - redbrix wrote: 87 Points
Smooth, lighter flavor of cherries and smoke. More like a cabernet. Some very slight bitterness in finish.
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3/3/2012 - 1512tnw wrote: 90 Points
End of a long run, certainly held its quality. Still drinking really well
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12/30/2011 - Tudz Drkl wrote: 89 Points
Delicious. Great balance and integration with muted but distinct purple fruits and overtones of dried herbs. The soft furry tannins and bright tanginess provided excellent structure and length.
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10/14/2011 - Winepath wrote: 87 Points
I enjoyed, but not special. Plenty to be had as good for less.
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9/7/2011 - 1512tnw Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fruit bomb drinking beautifully now.
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7/29/2011 - pedwards wrote: 88 Points
For $14 a nice value just too overripe for me. Not my style.
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6/6/2011 - atubbs wrote: 87 Points
Not my grape. Stuck cork, had to damn-near break the bottle to get it out. Blasted with oak and smoke. Other than that it was herbs and vegetables, and could probably stand a few more years in the bottle. Not my cup of tea, so take this with a grain of salt. I usually love high-acid wines, but found this tangy and distracting for some reason -- just didn't seem that the zing played well off the varietal. Not something I'd drink again, though it didn't seem like a bad example of the genre.
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5/17/2011 - Zweder wrote: 87 Points
Occasional tasting group: Just training our blind tasting skills. (@ EvA): Ruby colored. A somewhat sweet, but elegant bouquet with berry fruit and some white pepper. On the palate red as well black forest fruits, minerals and some spiciness and a firm amount of tannin. The wine is clearly too young because over a day it changed completely. Just after opening very primary and quite one dimensional to more complex on day two with still a firm bite because of the tannin. Will probably never be very elegant, but certainly a pleasure drinking when the tannin softened a bit.
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4/17/2011 - The Wine Write wrote: 86 Points
Popped & poured. Very tight initially, but opened to reveal a nose of black cherries, black tea & spice. Likewise on the palate, with a definite vegetal component. Drinkable, but nothing special.
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3/12/2011 - plow68 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Let breathe for 30 minutes. Opened up nicely. Fantastic Malbec!
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12/24/2010 - camacu wrote: 89 Points
Smoky, dark fruit, both in color, and aroma. A little strong on first taste,, but openning nicely after a short visit in the glass. Soft leathery taste, them prunes, and little back note of brighter berries, and coffee. Easy to get used to.. a nice compliment to some chili, and cool weather.
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10/24/2010 - Brsed wrote: 87 Points
A good value but this wine is not for me. A lttiel too green and vegetal for my tastes.
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8/7/2010 - Pancho G. wrote: 88 Points
Unusually strong oak taste -Luigi B's are usually a bit more mellow. Great buy at price point.
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6/24/2010 - jeffal66 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Not huge in body, this wine matches dark fruit with more complex vegetal flavors like bell pepper. Long finish with ample tannins. We found this bottle more enjoyable on the second day of drinking, showing potential for aging. A couple hours of decanting will help.
Read my review: http://tinyurl.com/2at3hya
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6/21/2010 - Jason Rzutkiewicz Likes this wine: 88 Points
The feel of the bottle in your hand does not register in most cases, not the case here as it is a nice heavy bottle (requiring a few extra carbon offsets) indicative of the quality you hope to find inside. This wine has a nose of dark berries, dusty chocolate and black pepper. The palate, while a bit hot, is smooth and full of big & bold fruits with well managed acidity and tannins to help maintain balance. Oak is present, but well used, providing creaminess and just a touch of sweetness on a dry, spicy, leathery finish. A brooding wine that could knock you over with fruit if it pleased that instead chooses to show restraint and layers of flavor. All the right characteristics here and good now but my inclination is that this one will benefit with another year in the bottle.
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3/26/2010 - CultCabKing wrote: 73 Points
not memorable (first tasting). Second tasting, maybe the bottle had been opened a bit longer, and it seemed a bit more mellow and fruity. A tiny bit flowery but not bad overall - maybe I was overly critical?
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3/22/2010 - Edzo wrote: 90 Points
Bright nose of Blackberry, Coffe, Leather and white pepper. The wine is well balanced with silky smooth tannins and great freshness. The finish is gracefull with notes of leathery spice. Very good Malbec will most definitely buy some more.
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3/21/2010 - 1512tnw Likes this wine: 88 Points
Decanted 2 hours with steak; bold, stands up to strong flavors. Complex and full bodied.
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3/20/2010 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
Saturdays at One - Volume 13: WIML90
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of violets, black berries, spices and black cherries. Flavors of black berries, black cherries and plums. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink over the short term perhaps into the medium term. Nice wine for the price tag.
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3/19/2010 - bzukaitis wrote: 86 Points
Great Malbec. Makes me want to visit Argentina, and open my bottle of the DOC. Haven't tried higher end Malbecs, but if this is $18, can't wait for $26-30!
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12/31/2009 - jpdel wrote: 91 Points
nose has notes of coffee, chocolate, and herbs. Taste of dark fruit, esp prunes, with a distinct meaty note. Fully bodied, lots of fruit, smooth tannins.
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12/28/2009 - hcampana wrote: 87 Points
Several wines and ... a roasted pig in the tradition of Asterix & Obelix!: Very nice quaffer. Plenty of fruit and adequate acidity. Very nice for the price.
Muy buen vino de diario. Suficiente fruta y acidez adecuada. Muy bueno por el precio.
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12/20/2009 - elevation02 wrote: 88 Points
Luigi Borsca makes a nice, simple Malbec for everyday BBQ's. I would certainly have this again and recommend it to friends.
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12/14/2009 - RedLoverJim wrote: 90 Points
Nose of cocoa dusted dried berries. Fresh flavors with a slight tartness on the finish. With some air, the finish brings out some nice chocolaty notes. Still young.
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11/7/2009 - cgrimes wrote: 84 Points
Purple color. Nose and palate of briary fruits, plum, meat. A littlie hot on the finish. Just OK.
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11/6/2009 - RussK wrote: 87 Points
RUSSK Light color and somewhat light in body. Distinctive nose. Intersting but not compelling. Would not buy more at $14.
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10/1/2009 - cobbpa wrote: 87 Points
Good, basic Malbec--dark red fruit with some other dark fruits throughout. Good sense of woodsmoke on the nose. Borderline juicy in the mouth, but is met with some smoke & slight meatiness on the finish. Some tannin & well-structured acid on the back end. Medium finish. Went well with a meaty stew and a strong white cheese.
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9/16/2009 - Omar Khayyam wrote: 83 Points
In this price range, this is one of my favourites. It does not only have the fiery black fruit but also a meaty vitality that you often find in better malbec, beyond the oak and the sweet fruit.
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9/12/2009 - Charlesaf3 wrote: 87 Points
Tasted surprisingly like an indifferent southern rhone. dry sour cherry etc. Not what I want in a Malbec, to say the least. Far more sour then was pleasant
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9/2/2009 - jamieirving wrote: 86 Points
Ruby red in colour, this Malbec shows dark berries, coffee and mocha on the nose. The palate is elegant and round with sweet tannins. Some white pepper and toasty oak characters, lacking a little in the middle perhaps.
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8/18/2009 - mmurry wrote: 90 Points
The nose had black currant and pepper, some cranberry and vanilla, and a nice earthy aroma at the end. The palate was rich and juicy, and had pepper, black currant, cranberry, vanilla, earth, and a pleasant spicy finish.
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8/15/2009 - Elever wrote: 89 Points
Very good full bodied Malbec, bouquet of dark cherry and plum, black pepper with a hint of cloves and leather. Opens up well to yield strong fruit flavors with good balance and nice tannins
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7/9/2009 - geppetto wrote: 84 Points
Had a glass at Cru in Vancouver. Ate with a nice fillet. I couldn't get a handle on the nose... Maybe cherry, yep that is it, cherries. Was quite tangy, more than what I like.
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6/18/2009 - Jorggarz wrote: 89 Points
Aromático. Buen cuerpo. Afrutado
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6/6/2009 - jrwhitney6 wrote: 88 Points
good - notes of coffee, black licorice and some pepper. Could mellow a bit more - will probably be better in a year or 2.
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5/22/2009 - bin905 wrote: 88 Points
Deep purple red color. Well-balanced, ripe fruit, raspberry, plum, oak flavors with ample tannins.
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5/2/2009 - mlarson25 wrote: 88 Points
Decanted for 30min. Wine opened up well, caught tones of licorice and black cherry. Very enjoyable and good quality for the price.
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4/25/2009 - jnanz wrote: flawed
Corked.
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4/21/2009 - 1512tnw wrote: 87 Points
Decanted 30 minutes. Not tannic, not as fruit forward as the DOC, but less powerful than the 06 Cab. Much better than the routine. Good daily wine.
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2/13/2009 - awinejourney wrote: 89 Points
Deep purple color. Dark cherries, meaty nose. Fruity flavors with a soft finish. Very nice. Solid value.
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2/13/2009 - rsazima wrote: 89 Points
VERY GOOD. Not as good as the 2005 due to some green flavors and lack of density and complexity. 89 pts.
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2/11/2009 - La Grappe wrote: 85 Points
Youthful, ripe, spicy; plenty of soft, smooth fruit, but not especially complex.
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1/24/2009 - hutch wrote:
Boston Wine Expo: Big, and not very gicing. Seems a little boring, but I'd have to retry.
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