Obra Prima Maximus Malbec 2014 Mendoza, Argentina

This is a very tasty six-year-old Malbec from Mendoza. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Showing black fruits with vegetables, light vanilla, spices, black olives, earth, bitter herbs, barnyard, wood, tobacco, dark coffee and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and soft tannins.

I had it before, and this time I had it right out of the bottle, and it was really nice.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a cheese plate.

A blend of 80% Malbec, 10% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Franc.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

Mascota Vineyards Eccentric Merlot 2018, Argentina

Time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Purple in color with a wide purplish rim.

Fruity nose of blueberries, plums, spices, light tobacco and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with plums, black cherries, blueberries, spices, light wood, earth, chocolates and black pepper.

Medium on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a nice and easy drinking Merlot from Argentina. Feels more like a California Merlot.

Tasty and simple. Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

87 Points.

$10.

Bodegas Arraigo Benegas Old Vines Red Blend 2010 Mendoza, Argentina

#AgedWineTuesday

it’s been 7 weeks in self quarantine, so we decided that enough is enough, and we’re going to meet by the lake, and have some wine and cheeses (6 ft from each other of course).

This is a gorgeous 10 year old Bordeaux blend from Argentina. Earthy, with lots of fruits to balance it out.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, raisins, vanilla, oak, licorice, spices chocolates, tobacco, coke, vegetables, bell pepper, earth, wet leaves, herbs and peppercorn.

Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 10 year old is showing great complexity and mouthfeel at this point. Probably at its peak.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly and show more complexity and structure. Started to decline after 4 hours, but there was not much left.

Thanks for sharing, Wendy.

This Old Vine Cuvee is much different than their regular blend, the complexity (and price) reflect that. A Delicious wine.

A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in French Oak barrels for 18 months. Vines were planted at the beginning of the last century.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$50.

Clos de Los Siete 2015 Mendoza, Argentina

Dark inky in color with a short purple rim.

Fruity nose with black currants, cherries, earth, leather, tobacco, oak, vanilla, cloves, dark coffee, pencil lead, vegetables, spices, metals and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, blackberries, earth, dark chocolates, tobacco, spices, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, coffee and peppercorn.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a very enjoyable 5 year old Malbec blend from Argentina by Michel Rolland.

Showing nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Nice to have all by itself or with food. A good sipping wine.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up, and shows some tannins.

Wine Spectator 91 points.

A blend of 58% Malbec, 23% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah and 1% Petit Verdot.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$16.

Tussock Jumper Malbec 2018 Mendoza, Argentina

Dark purple in color with a short reddish rim.

Nose of cherries, blueberries, oak, spices, tobacco, coffee, chocolates and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, oak, vanilla, light vegetables, spices, chocolates, tobacco and peppercorn.

Short finish with fine tannins and herbs.

This is a simple Malbec from Argentina.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food. I paired it with BBQ meats and grilled asparagus.

Made with Organic grapes.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

86 points.

$10.

Bodegas Poesia Malbec – Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Argentina

Dirty and dark brick in color with a brick/ reddish rim.

Pronounced nose of blueberries, black cherries, black currants, oak, vegetables, cloves, spices, earth, wet rocks, leather and black pepper.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, bell pepper, oak, spice box, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, vinaigrette, cinnamon, earth, wet leaves, beef jerky and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Malbec Blend from Argentina is still drinking nicely as a 14 year old, but better drink it sooner than later.

Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Soft and elegant. Feels like an old world wine at this point.

Wine Advocate 93 points.

Good after 30 minutes of airtime. A good wine to have all by itself and discuss with friends.

A blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. These old vine grapes were grown at 2,700 feet of elevation, and aged in 100% New French oak barrels.

92 points.

15% alcohol by volume.

$75.

Bodegas Arraigo Benegas Old Vines Cabernet Franc 2010 Mendoza, Argentina

It’s time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a great one from Argentina.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim. Not showing much age.

Fruity nose of blackberries, black plums, raisins, wood, vanilla, licorice, dark chocolates, coffee, mocha, spices, peppercorn, pencil lead, light vegetables, earth and leather.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, black currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, tobacco leaf, light vegetables, peppercorn, coffee, chocolates, tobacco and graphite.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 9 year old Argentinian Cabernet Franc is drinking very nicely now. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel. Peaking now.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly and show the complexity, although, it is good right out of the bottle.

Wine Enthusiasts 90 points.

I’ve had their regular Cab Franc, but this Old Vines version is so much better. A delicious wine.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.

100% Cabernet Franc grapes were aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$50.

Tamarelli Vineyards Gran Corte Estate Blend 2014 Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Deep purple in color with a short purplish /brick rim.

Fruity nose of black plums, black currants, blackberries, oak, vanilla, earth, licorice, spices, coffee, cola, pencil lead, peppercorn, leather, tobacco, wild flowers and herbs.

Full bodied, bold and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, raisins, vanilla, cedar, spices, herbs, licorice, peppercorn, earth, dark chocolates and light vinaigrette.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Malbec Blend from Mendoza, Argentina. Well balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.

Not so good right out of the bottle, so be patient, it is well worth it. Took a couple of hours to open up properly.

A great wine to sip on by the porch. This 5 year old is peaking now and it is lovely.

I paired it with cheeses nuts and crackers.

A blend of 70% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 5% Syrah. Aged for 20 months in French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$45.

Dave Phinney Locations AR 5 Non Vintage, Argentina

Dark ruby in color with a cloudy brick rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, chocolates, vinaigrette, mocha, coffee and black pepper.

Full bodied, rich and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, raisins, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cloves, coffee, chocolates, tobacco, peppercorn and vinaigrette.

Medium finish with soft tannins and spices.

This Argentinian Red Blend from the house of Dave Phinney is always enjoyable. Nicely balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.

This non vintage is probably on the way out now, but still very enjoyable. I kept it for 3 years to see how it evolves, and now I know it’s better fresh. It started dying after an hour of airtime.

Good right out of the bottle and good for parties.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of Malbec with some Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Aged for 10 months in oak barrels.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$20.

Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino The Immigrant 2015 Mendoza, Argentina

Deep purple in color with a purplish rim.

Nose of cherries, plums, currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, herbs, spices, wild flowers, chocolates, earth, vegetables, bell pepper, cloves, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Full bodied, smooth and elegant with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, plums, cooked cherries, black currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, green vegetables, earth and peppercorn.

Long finish with firm tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a great Malbec from Mendoza. Deep and dark.

This 100% Malbec is showing nice complexity and mouthfeel. Still young and needs another 5 years to mature, but already drinking very nicely now.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly.
After 2 hours, it shows the tannins.

Wine Spectator 94 points. Robert Parker 94 points.

This rich and extracted Malbec needs a big piece of steak. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.

14% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$120.