April 17, 2019 Newsletter: A ‘Malbec World Day’ Special Edition

• Louise Boutin, Lisa Isabelle and Dave Isaacs nosed, tasted and spat 18 specially selected Argentine malbec and malbec-dominant blends—from various wineries and various sites—before rating and reviewing them below. The price points range from $11.00 to $32.95 a bottle; surely something for everyone. Many available now and some over the next few months, certainly worth the wait. There’s a world of value to be found here.
• If you’re interested in learning some of the history of malbec and Argentina, Wine of Argentina’s personable and hardworking Market Representative (Ontario & Atlantic Canada), Liz Luzza, has provided a brief, informative piece that will pique your interest and answer many of your questions… Click here

Now in the LCBO

89
Tilia ‘Sustainably Farmed’ Malbec 2018
Mendoza (160945) $13.95 13.5% alcohol
The nose is shy, slowly revealing appealing notes of wintergreen, tea leaves, spice and smoke supported by tart cherry, plum and strawberry aromas. Dry, medium bodied, silky in texture, it deftly balances red fruit flavours, ample acidity and soft tannins while offering a juicy stream of spiced red plum garnished with an herbal note on the palate and through the lengthy finish. Pair this exceptional-value malbec with grilled chorizo sausages. (Lisa Isabelle)

87
Argento ‘Reserva’ Malbec 2016
Mendoza $14.40 (363192) 14.0% alcohol
This exceptional-value malbec has a dark plum appearance with aromas of strawberries and dry earth on the nose. It’s medium bodied on the palate with a lively balance of fruit, acidity and tannins that are present, but not at all grippy. A flavour of tart raspberry gradually fades to a hint-of-vanilla finish. This wine should be consumed within the next two or three years and will be a tasty pairing with pepperoni and mushroom pizza. (Dave Isaacs)

88
Argento Seleccion Malbec 2017
Mendoza $11.00 (591693) 13.0% alcohol
There’s good reason to pick up an armful of this wine. This is dark red in colour with purple highlights and an interesting nose of cherry, moss, mint, and pencil shavings. It’s medium-full bodied with a gentle nip of tannin and good balance delivering flavours of cherry, red currant and spice. This is a perfect wine for an everyday red; sip on its own or have with hearty meat stews. (Dave Isaacs)

89
Masi ‘Tupungato - Passo Doble - Organic 2017
Valle de Uco $14.95 (620880) 14.0% alcohol
Malbec meets partially dried corvina in this interesting organic blend from Masi, a famous Veneto, Italy producer who also flourishes in Argentina. Predominantly driven by malbec aromas—fresh black plum, raspberry and blackberry, there’s also a backdrop of raisin, mocha and baking spice. It’s cool, tart and juicy on the palate with bursting ripe blackberry flavours and a layer of fresh and stewed plum with piquant cinnamon wrapped in fine-grained tannin. There’s lots to love in this medium-full bodied red blend, including the price and value for money. Pick up a few bottles and pour with a brown sugar and chili sauce-glazed meatloaf. (Louise Boutin)

89
Doña Paula Estate Malbec 2017
Valle de Uco $16.95 (394783) 13.5% alcohol
This good-value, 100% malbec was hand-picked and destemmed before cold maceration, fermentation and 12 months of ageing in a mix of old and new French oak barrels. A nose of black plum, beetroot, blueberry and cedar aromas introduce flavours of tart red plum, black cherry, baking spice and dry cocoa. It’s medium bodied with soft tannin and moderate acidity making it an easy-drinking option on its own or with a variety of meat dishes. (Louise Boutin)

87
Domaine Jean Bousquet Malbec 2018
Tupungato/Uco Valley (160952) $13.95 14.0% alcohol
From the high altitude foothills of the Andes, this organic wine was barrel fermented in French and American oak and rested 4 months in bottle before release. Dark plum, blueberry, strawberry, savoury herbs and delicate floral notes lift from the glass. Dry, medium bodied, a smooth wash of dark fruit flavours flow over the palate joined by hints of spice and a mineral note on the mid-length finish. Serve with braised chicken and a bell pepper medley. (Lisa Isabelle)

89
Alamos Malbec 2017
Mendoza (295139) $16.40 13.0% alcohol
This well-priced red emerges from the glass with blackberry, cassis and strawberry jam layered with eucalyptus, pink peppercorn and dark chocolate. Dry, medium bodied with delicate tannins, the palate is bright and fresh tasting dominated by red fruit flavours mingling with baking spice and sweet vanilla which endure through the medium-long, tasty finish. Pair this versatile malbec with grilled lamb burgers. (Lisa Isabelle)

Now in Vintages

• The following is a Vintages Essentials product always found in select LCBO stores.

89
Catena Malbec 2016
Mendoza $19.95 (478727) 13.0% alcohol
This is an excellent, value-packed wine that's perfect to serve at a backyard barbecue. It’s opaque purple-plum in colour with hints of vanilla, smoke, raspberry and strawberry aromas on the nose. It is medium bodied on the palate with juicy, lip-smacking tang. Smooth tannins support flavours of raspberry and vanilla that meld and linger on the palate and through the pleasantly fruity finish and aftertaste. (Dave Isaacs)

• The following is a Vintages Essentials product always found in select LCBO stores.

87
Kaiken ‘Selección Especial’ Malbec 2017
Mendoza $15.95 (58339) 13.5% alcohol
The nose is sweet and ripe led by dark plum and crushed raspberry entwined with notions of tomato leaf, dusty mineral and baking spice. Dry, medium bodied with subtle tannins, flavours of cherry, plum, herbs and spice linger on the mid-length finish. Serve with pulled-pork sliders. (Lisa Isabelle)

Upstream in winecurrent

Vintages Release: June 8, 2019

89
Bodega Toneles ‘Tonel 46 – Reserva’ 2015
Uco Valley, Mendoza $17.95 (629808) 13.5% alcohol
The price-quality ratio skews well in your favour, pick up a few. It was fermented in concrete tanks with indigenous yeasts then matured in used French-oak barrels. This is dark plum, almost opaque in colour with a nose delivering aromas of damp leaves, smoke, ash, and dried fruit. It’s medium-full bodied on the palate with a moderate amount of tannins and juicy balance of fruit and acidity. There are flavours of cherry and vanilla, with some background sensations of dried herbs, and a long tart and fruity finish. This is drinking very well right now and will do so for the short-medium term. Enjoy with lasagna. (Dave Isaacs)

Vintages Release: October 12, 2019

91
Luigi Bosca ‘Single Vineyard’ Malbec 2016
DOC Luján de Cuyo (74922) $29.95 14.0% alcohol
This single-vineyard gem, from vines averaging 70 years of age, was aged 14 months in French oak. Ripe dark fruit aromas, touched by notes of cedar, exotic spice, mint and balsamic reduction, waft easily from the glass before a torrent of cherry, plum, spice and mocha flavours coat the rich-tasting palate. Dry, medium-full bodied with well-integrated tannins and clean acidity, it finishes medium-long, warm and smooth. Pair with grilled rib-eye steaks. (Lisa Isabelle)

Vintages Release: March, 2020

90
Kaiken ‘Ultra Las Rocas’ Malbec 2017
Uco Valley, Mendoza $19.95 (50849) 14.5% alcohol
Twelve months of ageing in French oak barrels, one-third of which were new, has given this malbec a varied nose of wet leather, smoke and cut wood with additional nuances of dried fruit and dried herbs. It has a medium body, great balance of acidity and firm, but silky tannins. Jammy flavours of blackberry with hints of smoke, linger in a pleasantly tangy finish. This’ll keep nicely in the cellar for another four years. Decant for an hour before serving, and enjoy with an after-dinner selection of aged, hard cheese. (Dave Isaacs)

Vintages Release: TBD 2019

90
Clos de Los Siete 2015
Mendoza $23.95 (622571) 14.5% alcohol
Famous Libournais œnologist, Michel Rolland, is behind this ruby-hued blend—58% malbec/23% merlot/10% cabernet sauvignon/8% syrah, 1% petit verdot. The nose is complex with mature aromas of dry cherry, stewed plum, baking spice, licorice, burnt sugar and tobacco. A harmonious cocktail of fleshy sweet and savoury flavours aligned with aromas is showcased with cocoa notes and a perfect balance of fine tannin, acidity and fruitiness on the palate. This is full-bodied with good depth and the promise of longevity. Aerate/decant two hours and pour now to 2025 with pork loin stuffed with dried fruit. (Louise Boutin)

91
Luigi Bosca ‘Terroir Los Miradores’ Malbec 2016
DOC Uco Valley, Mendoza $32.95 (568899) 14.4% alcohol 
This excellent wine is opaque black plum in appearance with a wonderfully varied nose of smoke, black pepper, dry wood, vanilla, blackcurrant, and dried herb aromas. It’s medium-full bodied on the palate with firm tannins and a good zap of tang that balances flavours of blackberry and dark chocolate. The finish is delicious, tart and fruity with hints of mocha. This’ll keep for five or more years. Aerate/decant a couple of hours before enjoying with now with braised lamb shank ravioli. (Dave Isaacs)

91
Susana Balbo ‘BenMarco - Dominio del Plata’ Malbec 2016
Mendoza $18.95 (657601) 13.5% alcohol
This cool-climate malbec from Susana Balbo exudes aromas of fresh ripe blackberry, plum compote, lilac and mineral notes. Medium-bodied and silky-textured on the palate, it wakes-up the senses with bright acidity—red plum, tangy raspberry and ripe blackberry—wrapped up in mellow tannin with a complementing dry sage note emerging mid-way through the fruity, dry, mid-length finish. Enjoy with a hearty homemade lasagna. (Louise Boutin)

90
Luigi Bosca Malbec 2016
Mendoza (452672) $18.95 13.8% alcohol
This well-structured malbec delivers a medley of expressive aromas—dark cherry and plum, sandalwood, vanilla, and burnt sugar. A dense core of dark, ripe fruit is garnished with sweet vanilla, baking spice and earthy flavours on the palate. Dry, medium-full bodied and nicely-weighted with velvety tannins and mouth-watering acidity, succulent plum and vanilla flavours resonate through the persistent finish. Enjoy alongside grilled skirt steak with chimichurri sauce. (Lisa Isabelle)

88

Susana Balbo ‘Críos’ Malbec 2018
Mendoza $15.95 (162529) 14.0% alcohol
With its opaque plum appearance, it appears ink-like in the glass. There are hints of earth, dry moss and vanilla aromas on the nose. It’s medium bodied with a very pleasant balance of acidity interwoven with flavours of coffee, plum and strawberry. The tannins appear in the background on the palate then grow to dominate the finish, suggesting that this wine will benefit from a year or two in the cellar. It’s a good match for grilled beef burgers. (Dave Isaacs)

92
Achával Ferrer Malbec 2015
Mendoza $29.95 (24737) 14.5% alcohol
The slight brick-coloured tinge to this wine’s opaque cherry colour hints at a little bit of age. The nose is a complex medley of coffee, wood, smoke, and fresh sage, mixed with fruity aromas of cherry and plum. It’s medium bodied and jammy on the palate with a fantastically smooth balance of acidity, fruit flavour and firm, approachable tannins. There are flavours of tart raspberry and chocolate, which gently fade to a pleasantly tangy finish. This is drinking perfectly now and will keep another four years. Enjoy with medium-rare, grilled steak. (Dave Isaacs)

• The following two wines were a tad late to make the ‘Malbec World Day Special Edition’ – you can still see that tasting by going to our website www.winecurrent.com and clicking on ‘Special Features’ on left side, and then clicking on VQA Ontario feature.

91 
Chakana ‘Estate Selection’ Malbec 2016
Valle de Uco, Mendoza $19.95 (219261) 13.0% alcohol
There’s excellent value here; it’s inky-black hued and brimming with aromas—red currant and cherry intertwined with dark berry fruit, smoky notes and black plum. It spreads over the palate with great élan; a riveting stream of pie cherry and crunchy red currant riding a bracing line of lip-smacking tang. This has good texture, character and underpinning of soft, ripe tannin. Give it a go with a thick cut of fine beef, grilled medium rare. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2016 Manos Negras ‘Atrevida’ Malbec is available online for ‘Delivery to Home’ or ‘Deliver to Store’ (of your choice) with only 23 bottles available at time of writing – one would have to act quickly, or wait until release day, April 27 and pick up at a nearby store.

90   
Manos Negras ‘Atrevida’ Malbec 2016
Mendoza, Argentina $17.95 (494518) 14.0% alcohol 
This is exceptionally well priced. The quiet nose of floral and cherry/berry aromas sets the stage for a creamy-smooth stream of tangy red cherry and rich ripe berry fruit interwoven with spice and flecks of cocoa. It’s medium-bodied with persistent purity of fruit, deft balance and lengthy, delectable finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside your favourite grilled meats or a meat-lover’s pizza. (Vic Harradine)

Cheers, Lisa, Louise, Dave, Vic