Category Archives: South America

Catching Up (Again) on Reviews

12 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by in California, South America

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My biggest downfall in maintaining a blog is getting wine reviews written. I prefer telling stories but the utility of at least quick thoughts on some good wines I’ve recently consumed seems like a part of the job I should NOT ignore..

I taste so much outstanding wine this summer the idea of reviewing some of the things I’ve sipped at home slips to the “I really need to do that” level and not get done.

So here we go! Some recent nice-drinking wines.

Grey PinoVentisquero Grey 2012 Pinot Noir – This was a nice surprise from Chile. Much of the Chilean Pinot Noir I’ve previously consumed had that nagging vegetal or green pepper hint that was not predominant in this wine. I liked its earthiness and sort of a damp wood quality. That make sense?

It’s so hard to find drinkable good Pinot under $20-$25 but this fits the category. It has a little spice, nice acidity and ultimately a very drinkable glass of wine.

Ventisquero Grey 2012 Pinot Noir, average price around $20, Recommended.

MiraMira 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet – Wow, this is good wine. I tasted a lot of bottles at a higher price point during my 10 days in Calfornia last month but only a few were better than this one.

The nifty blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Syrah worked well. That Cab Franc and Syrah gave the wine a nice rich and round mouth feel.

This wine had great balance and a perfect Cab finish – I got the tannins, sensed the oak but it was in balance with the nice Cabernet flavor.

Mira 2010 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, SRP $52 – but found online as low as $39, Highly Recommended.

Owen Roe 2010 Ex Umbris Syrah – This Columbia Valley Syrah, from one of the grape’s best producers, was extraordinary wine. It should be noted the ’09 vintage of this wine made Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 list.

owen_roe_ex_umbris_label__13161_stdI had tasted Roe’s value label Syrah – Lenore – around $17 so had to step up to this bottle at about twice the price. I wasn’t blown away but thought it was so much better than many West Coast Syrah offerings. It was tad thinner than I expected but did have lovely fruit and nice balance.

It had a very identifiable richness or velvety feel in the mouth. I’m a sucker for that type of experience every time. It’s just very well made wine. This wine got 90 points from Wine Spectator and Stephen Tanzer.

Owen Roe 2010 Ex Umbris Syrah, $29, Highly Recommended.

Cesar Toxqui 2005 Mendocino Zinfandel – I had the pleasure of sitting with Cesar Toxqui at a dinner in Mendocino, Ca., in 2011. He has a fascinating story of growing up in the wine business and worked his way up to his own label.

CesarLabelHe was working still then with a member of the Fetzer family at Jeriko Estate wines but aching to do more with his own label. We tasted a couple of his wines at dinner and I really was taken with his Zinfandel. Zin is a bit of a calling card for Mendocino producers.

I thought the wine had great fruit, depth, and finish. I had held onto this one since that trip and it was worth the wait. He is a very small production winery so finding it would be a big challenge. Still, it continues to reinforce my continuing theme of look for the small producers to find big surprises and great wine.

Cesar Toxqui 2005 Mendocino Zinfandel, around $25 (from memory), Very Highly Recommended – if you can find it.

Chilean Wine Keeps Improving

02 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Newspaper Column 2014, South America

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South American wines played a key role in revolutionizing the concept of value wines in recent years. Argentina has had great success with its seductive Malbec, earthy Bonarda, and even the white difference of Torrontos.

Grape Sense LogoChile has been around longer but may be viewed more skeptically by growing mostly Cabernet, Syrah, and Merlot wines. Early on much of the Chilean Sauvignon Blanc was quite tasty. But the reds were marred with a green pepper or vegetal flavor that was a little more than unappealing to many palates.

The Chilean wines I’ve tasted in the past year are increasingly of higher quality and interest. Chilean winemakers are also experimenting with Pinot Noir and even Rhone blends. The unique and different growing regions could make Chile a real wine star in coming years.
A little background goes all of the way back to the 16th century and Spanish conquistadors introducing vines to the coastal nation. In the 1800s the French introduced Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc, and a somewhat obscure grape, Carmenere.

Keep in mind when thinking about the environment for grape growing is the unique terroir. The Andes and the Pacific Ocean sandwich the grape growing regions. That would be latitudes similar to Spain.

There are five major wine regions, arguably the Central Coast produces the best wines or at least the wines most often found on U.S. shelves. The Central Valley includes the three Maipo regions along with the best known Colchagua Valley area.

Some important folks and winemakers have taken notice of Chile’s potential in recent years through partnerships and investment. Robert Mondavi, Miguel Torres, Chateau Lafite Rothschild, and Chateau Mouton Rothschild have all partnered to make wines.

WinesChileLogoGreat Britain imports a lot of Chilean wines and even the higher end bottles. In the U.S., Chilean wine normally means value – or frankly, cheap red wine.

Where Chile may have a long-term advantage is the diversity of its wine industry. The Cabernet, Syrah, and Merlot wines are certainly a bit different than pulling one off the shelf from California. That little-known French blender Carmenere has been adopted by Chile as its signature grape. Carmenere is big, inky, deep purple wine that can be over-powering to silky and alluring.

The bottle line is affordable Chilean wine wasn’t all that good just a few years ago but it’s improving fast. It’s time to revisit the South America section of your wine store, move past Argentina for now, and try the improving Chilean wines.

Some names I can recommend: Montes, Errazuriz, Casa Silva, Miguel Torres, Terra Andina, Santa Ema, Carmen and Ventisquero.

The Ventisquero wines are at a slightly higher price point than many, they are really knockout wines. I received these wines as a trade sample.

Grey Single Block Carmenere – Blueberries, blackberries, smoke and spice make this a seductive glass of wine. It spends 18 months in new oak and is the kind of big wine that pairs really well with big food.

Grey Single Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 – The 96 percent Cab, 4 percent Petit Verdot wine was a wonderfully bold Cabernet with beautiful balance.

Grey GCM 2011 – This was the surprise of the lot for me. I had not had Rhone varietals from Chile and this wine blend of Garnacha, Mourvedre, and Carignan showed tremendous potential.

This label is widely available with all three wines at a suggested retail price of $23.99.

Three Great Reds & a White

08 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by in California, France, South America

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It seems each time I get around to doing some reviews it’s about ‘catching up!’ Today is not different with a few really good bottles I’ve enjoyed in recent weeks.

Let’s start with my recent “wine kick” – Syrah and an old favorite.

T-vineT-Vine 2007 Napa Valley Syrah – Winter is a great time for stews and beef dishes. Syrah is a great pairing with most of those dishes. Loved the huge nose on this wine and the taste of blackberry, all the dark fruits and good spice. Some serious wine drinkers would call the wine jammy but the mouth feel was not quite that heavy for me.

It’s a big wine with 14.6 percent alcohol but I liked the balance and smooth spicy finish.

The other odd thing about this was an extraordinary amount of sediment. I use a Vinturi aerator with a filter so it wasn’t a problem in the glass — but a large amount was left in the bottle!

T-Vine 2007 Napa Valley Syrah, retails at $40-$50, Highly Recommended.

Klinker BrickKlinker Brick 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel – This old Lodi friend seldom disappoints. The Zin has the kind of spicy or peppery finish you’d expect from Zinfandel along with nice dark red fruit – think cherries.

I remember more pronounced fruit from previous vintages but still such a solid choice. My only criticism is this wine is really hot – that’s 15.8 percent alcohol hot!

It’s a consistent winner though from year to year and a great house Zin.

Klinker Brick 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel, $15 in most stores, Recommended.

GreyGrey 2011 Carménère – The Vina Vintisquero Grey Maipo Valley Carménère was simply one of the best I’ve ever tasted.

Blueberries, blackberries, smoke and spice make this a seductive glass of wine. Gone is the green vegetal taste of way too many inexpensive Chilean wines! It spends 18 months in new oak and is the kind of big wine that pairs really well with big food. It’s a reasonable 14 percent alcohol.

The wine has long finish and will have you re-thinking Carménère. It drinks above its less than $20 price point! I couldn’t have been more impressed!

Vina Vintisquero Grey Carménère, $18.99, Trade Sample, Very Highly Recommended.

reserve-grand-veneur-blanc-domaine-grand-veneurAlain Jaume & Fils 2012 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Blanc – The wine is your typical French Southern Rhone white blend. But what does that mean?

These inexpensive white Rhones are always very drinkable if not equally unremarkable. But that’s not always a bad thing. If you want a nice, soft French white for dinner or as a sipper you can’t go wrong with a well-made wine in the low teens. Most of the Rhone whites fall into that description.

“Rhone blend” usually includes some varying amounts of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Rousanne, Viognier, Bourboulenc, and Picpou.

Alain Jaume & Fils 2012 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Blanc, $13.99, Recommended.

Nothing Like Evening of Great Wine!

12 Monday Aug 2013

Posted by in Italy, South America, Spain

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On more than one occasion I’ve written about my wine buddies on the blog and our frequent gatherings to try new wines, themed nights, blind tastings, and enjoy the good conversation and great wine.

A couple of the guys have job situations that have them out of the community for awhile so it’s always great when we can get the band back together. We were able to do that Friday night and had a dynamite lineup.

FriulanoLivio Felluga 2011 Friulano – I have to admit, this was my first Friulano and I loved it – so did the guys.

The Friulano region is as far north and east as one can travel in Italy. The wine is yellow-ish with fresh apple and citrus notes. I loved the rich mouth feel and balance. It has a hint of almond and even a bit of a grassy thing going on.

The Livio Felluga is the name to look for too. The Felluga family brough Friulano back after WWII, according to the winery website. Wine Enthusiast gave this vintage a great 90 points.

Livio Felluga 2011 Friulano, $26, Trade Sample, can find it higher and lower in the $20-range, Highly Recommended.

Turley 2008 Old Vine Zinfandel – The wine guys and I have had plenty of Zin but never Turley. That’s going to change!

2008-turley-zinfandel-old-vinesThe Turley old vine was our first red of the evening but might have been the best wine of the night. Simply put- it was stunning Zin.

Dark ruby red, spicy nose, incredible balance from tip of tongue to lingering finish, it was stylistic and silky with a rewarding finish. It had raspberry and pepper and all things that make Zin so alluring.

It’s an alcohol bomb but doesn’t taste like it at a whopping 15.6 percent.

Robert Parker gave this wine a stingy 89 points. Steven Tanzer a point lower at 88. It’s every bit that good and maybe better.

Turley 2008 Old Vine Zinfandel, $39.99, Very Highly Recommended.

toroSan Roman 2006 Toro – This is good as Spanish wine gets at a reasonable price point. I’ve had this wine on two or three previous occasions and it never disappoints.

This is a bold, muscular, in-your-face red wine that still has balance. Think smoke, tobacco, chocolate, and leather for this wine that is only seven years old. The critics all rave at 93-94 points.

Blackberry and dried fruit might best describe the palate. It’s big dry wine. We were enjoying this with shortribs which had spent the day in a crock pot. It was an awesome pairing.

San Roman 2006 Toro, prices all over from $30-$50, Very Highly Recommended.

Achaval Ferrer 2010 Quimera – This Argentinian blend from one of the country’s top producers just rocks. The wine is a unique blend of 31 percent Malbec, 20 percent Merlot, 27 percent Cab Sauvignon, 18 percent Cab Franc, and 4 percent Petit Verdot.

achaval-ferrer-quimera__92820.1359816257.1280.1280It’s something new from the winery and fits the description, often over-used, as a Bordeaux blend. These vineyards are 3,000 feet above sea level and represent some of the best regions in Mendoza.

It gets the classic treatment of new French oak, 40 percent, and is a reasonable 14 percent alcohol.

Plum, chocolate, and a hint of oak makes it a great wine with steak. We were sipping while tasting bites of a grilled ribeye and it worked great. It was not quite as big a wine as I had anticipated but certainly a good way to taste Argentina beyond all the mid-teen priced reds.

Achaval Ferrer 2010 Quimera, SRP $56, Trade Sample, Highly Recommended.

Rich Red, Smooth White for Weekend

04 Sunday Aug 2013

Posted by in Napa/Sonoma, South America

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I enjoyed two interesting wines with guests Saturday that often scare me off. Most Califorinia (not all) white blends are often too rich, and a tad to softn (sometimes sweet) for my palate. The other was a Chilean Carmenere. I’ve certainly tasted many Carmenere wines but most were a little rough around the edges.

These two wines may change my mind about pre-conceived notions!

carmenereCarmen 2010 Gran Reserva Carmenere – Delicious, rich raspberry and a smooth-mouth feel start to finish is what I’ve been looking for in Carmenere. Carmen delivers!

For my palate, it was pretty juicy wine but also dry and earthy. Good minerality and tannins. It definitely had a pepper finish that made it work well with a char-grilled ribeye. Too many Chilean wines have that ‘green taste” … green peppers if you will, and I’m not a fan.

Carmen 2010 Gran Reserva Carmenere, around $15 – trade sample, Highly Recommended.

FRN_Equilibrium_medFranciscan 2012 Equilibrium – This white wine comes from a great Napa producer and really delivers a delightful and well-balanced glass of wine.

Many of the California white blends I’ve had lately seemed out of what with 3-5-7 white grapes. Franciscan sticks with primarily Sauv Blanc, then throws in a little Chardonnay and Muscat to soften and round the rough spots. It works!

There is easy-to-spot white peach and great balance. This would be a wonderful match for those who enjoy spicy foods. I actually served it with a peach and mozzarella summer salad and it was spectacular.

Franciscan 2012 Equilibrium, SRP $23, trade sample, Highly Recommended.

Three Bold Reds for Summer Grilling

17 Wednesday Jul 2013

Posted by in Australia/New Zealand, Organic, South America, Washington State

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steakThere is nothing like a grilled steak or other beast off the charcoal during these hot summer days. After lots of Rose’ and white wine, it’s time for a taste of red.

Fire up the grill, add a little BBQ rub to those thick ribeyes and enjoy any of these three wines. Here are three diverse choices with Argentinian Malbec, Australian Cabernet, and a wonderful red blend from Washington state all making the grade.

zuccardi_serie_a_malbec11Zuccardi Serie A 2011 Malbec – There are a lot of so-so and uninteresting Malbecs on the market – but even those are good QPR (quality to price ratio) wines.

The Zuccardi really delivers big dark fruit, some will argue a little over-ripe or jammy, but the finish had enough tannin to cut through the fat of the ribeye.

The silky mouth feel and lighter tannins make a great steak pairing. The winemaker ages 70 percent of the juice in oak. It comes in at 14 percent alcohol.

This wine earned 90 points from Robert Parker.

Zuccardi Serie A 2011 Malbec, online at $12-$20, widely available, Highly Recommended.

GBCabSavChateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon – Like many Americans I haven’t been drinking much Australian wine in recent years. Much has been written about the decline of Australian imports. Fingers are often pointed at the critter wines which brought Australian wine to prominence but were of lesser quality.

So I was prepared for a so-so Cabernet and found myself pleasantly surprised and pleased with the Tanunda Cab. The winery dates back into the late 1800s and the nice balance of this wine suggests a long tradition of winemaking.

The grapes are a blend from several vineyards in the Barossa region. Once into the winery the wine is aged 16 month in oak for a big structure and body that holds up great for any grilled beast.

Ratings from Australian reviews put the wine at 89 points, and I’d say that’s about right.

Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon, $17 average online price, Trade Sample, Recommended for the price point.

09_PW_SPECTRUMPowers 2010 Spectrum – I liked all three of these reds alot. The Spectrum was my choice of the three though. It’s big enough to please regular wine drinkers, rounded enough for wine novices, and pairs great with about any dish.

The blend is 39 percent Merlot, 33 percent Syrah, 22 percent Malbec, 6 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich red fruit and a hint of herbs makes this a great drinking wine. It’s oaked in a combination of new and neutral wooden barrels.

It registers in with 14.5 percent alcohol but didn’t taste hot on the palate at all.

Powers has a very nice line of wines. They have been a leader in organic and low-impact farming.

Powers 2010 Spectrum, $10-$13 online, Highly Recommended.

Review: Three Nice Value Wines

08 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by in California, France, South America

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Time again to catch up with some great value wines found over the past few weeks. For variety’s sake, here are great values in a red, white, and Rose’.

I sporadically mention where I personally purchase wine. After several requests, I’ll try to be more consistent. I buy 99 percent of my wine in Central Indiana or online but if this helps people find the good stuff in the Midwest, I’m happy to comply.

winelabel-slife-pn-2011Simple Life 2011 Pinot Noir – It’s always exciting to find a value Pinot to recommend for those who keep their wine purchases below the $15 price point. This simple Pinot is one of best I’ve tasted for under $13 bucks.

The wine is made by the iconic Sebastiani family under the Don Sebastiani & Sons flag and Simple Life Winery label. Sebastiani is one of the oldest names in Sonoma.

This is easy to drink Pinot. It’s a little fruity on the palate and smoky on the finish. I can dive into the fine nuance of an Oregon Pinot, at a much higher price point, with anyone but this is a simple little wine. But the beauty of this bottle is its simplicity. It’s well made Pinot at a super-low price – don’t over think it, just drink it!

Simple Life 2011 Pinot Noir, $12.99, Cork & Cracker, Indianapolis, Recommended.

bila-haut-blc_btleLes Vignes De Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon – For the past two years I’ve been digging into these inexpensive French white wines and loving them. I have found the Cotes du Rhone and Languedoc whites uncomplicated but delightful sippers.

The Michel Chapoutier wine has understated citrus, white fruit and awonderful mouth feel. The veteran Rhone winemaker blends Roussillon grenache blanc, grenache gris and macabeu (Spain’s Cava grape) to make this tasty sipper.

Les Vignes De Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon, $11, Grapevine Cottage, Zionsville, Recommended.

melipalMelipal 2011 Malbec Rose’ – Malbec Rose’ has never appealed to my palate. I purchased a glass in an Indianapolis restaurant at lunch recently and it was insipid, at best. But I recently won a case of wine as part of an online site promotion and inside was some Spanish and this one Argentinian Rose’.

To my delight the Melpal was quite tasty – hints of cherry and raspberry and a wonderful white-wine crispness. These Rose’ wines with a more of a mouth feel than a Provence make better food wines than the lighter French styles. I’d serve with light appetizers or a salad.

Melipal 2011 Malbec Rose’, $12-$14, Velvet Palate, Recommended.

 

Rant On: As It Should Be …

02 Thursday May 2013

Posted by in France, South America

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In a perfect world we’d all sip Rose on a seashore with fresh seafood. Or perhaps drink big Malbec or Cabernet with charred and aged steaks. And if that’s too snobbish, how about some Sauv Blanc and shrimp? Or, maybe some pizza or a hamburger with a Beaujolais Cru? In a perfect world should wine in a box be a little better? And shouldn’t consumers have a lot more of those nifty little half bottles in their wine stores? Every now and then, wine writers rant! Rant on:

Cousino-Macul Antiguas Reservas 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon – This is pretty darn great value Cab for under $20. The wine is rich with ripe fruit, that green pepper thing you get in Chilean wines, and a hint of currant and vanilla. Maipo Valley is the home to the winery. It’s big soft and so drinkable the bottle might be gone before you ever realize it. (Not that it happened that way with me, noooooo!) photo (4) One of the great things about this wine is it comes from a producer who is joining a considerable South American movement toward sustainable farming practices.

Online, you’ll find rather dismissive reviews that it isn’t this or that. But the Cousino-Macul Cab is one most novice and intermediate wine drinkers is going to enjoy.

Cousino-Macul Antiguas Reservas 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Around $16, Trade Sample, Highly Recommended

Chateau La Tour De Bessan Margaux 2009 (Half Bottle) – How many saw the rant coming here? C’mon, raise your hands?

If you travel in Europe, particularly in the great wine countries, you will see lots of half bottles in wine shops but even more in outdoor and traditional markets. The half bottle is a perfect way to try something new or different not to mention great for the single person. Two glasses of wine is enough for many of us on most nights. There are arguments against the half bottle, mainly that wine will not age and last as long as the traditional 750 ml bottle. But there are statistics floating around out that that most wine in the U.S. is consumed within days or weeks of purchase.

Most of central Indiana’s better shops carry half bottles but a very limited selection. This Margaux gave me a chance to taste a Cab-Merlot blend from one of the world’s greatest wine regions without breaking the bank. Sure it’s an entry level wine from the region but that’s as far as many wine drinkers may ever get with Bordeaux’s crazy prices. The wine itself was okay. It had a beautiful balance and richness that suggested great French wine making. Blackberry was the overwhelming characteristic that came to mind as I sipped with my charred ribeye.

Chateau La Tour De Bessan Margaux 2009, $12.95 half bottle, Highly Recommended! More half bottles in wine shops – Very Highly Recommended!

ChatRollanDeByRose Chateau Rollan de By 2011 Bordeaux Rose’ – Not a Claret but a Bordeaux Rose’ and a pretty good one. Most Rose’ fans really fall for the light, pink, and delicate Provence Rose – and I’m one of those folks. But I do like something different from time to time and the Bordeaux was a pleasant surprise.

It certainly was bigger on the palate but not sweet as some might fear from the candy-red color. It’s a bigger wine because it is made from Cabernet and Merlot from the Medoc region. It’s different – I like different. There is strawberry and cherry but it’s all kept in check by a nice roundness and mouth feel. It’s worth checking out.

Chateau Rollan de By 2011 Bordeaux Rose’, $13.50, Recommended.

Everything Right Celebrating Malbec

09 Tuesday Apr 2013

Posted by in Newspaper Column 2013, South America

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Malbec has long been a go-to wine for many people. Malbec is one of the great value wine deals in the world.

The French blending grape found its way across the Atlantic in the 1860s and settled nicely in Argentina. The Andes Mountain foothills proved an ideal environment for the grape. That Mendoza region now produces most of the great Malbec wines of the world.

Grape Sense LogoThe best thing about Malbec is the ability to pick one up at a wine shop for $10-$18 and enjoy world class wine.

World Malbec Day is April 17 and reason to celebrate. Though celebrating Malbec could be any day of the year. It’s fashionable to have Malbec Day, Cabernet Day, or maybe even table grape day. But marketing promotions do help bring attention to the product.

Argentinean producers do not have the market cornered on Malbec; they just produce the best product. Malbec has also found its way into Chile’s Rapel Valley.

PrintThe grape thrives in both regions because of a hot and dry summer. The grape takes constant sun to reach its optimal ripeness.

France’s Malbec, with love to the French for making everything difficult, is Cahors. Keep in mind old world wine regions designate their wines by geography and not the grape.

The Cahors Malbec is usually a bit lighter in style than the rich Argentine wines. I find the few Chilean Malbecs I’ve tasted similar to Mendoza wines but a little less pronounced fruit.

Argentina has become a major force in the U.S. wine market.  According to WineSur, and data from Impact Databank, Argentine Malbec has grown from 625,000 cases in 2005 to 4 million cases last year. That puts Argentina fifth in U.S. imports behind Italy, Australia, France, and Chile.

Malbec is thought of as steak wine, much like Cabernet Sauvignon. But Malbec is a great choice when the beef dish isn’t as big as a charred, grilled piece of beast.  It’s awesome with barbecue, braised and stewed meats, lamb, and more.

Typically, Malbec has rich fruit, smoke, and spice on the palate. It’s certainly a full bodied, dry red wine. But with that said, most Malbecs will have a little smoother finish than a big Cabernet Sauvignon.

Howard Pick’s:

Amado Sur Malbec Blend, SRP $15: Big rich and smooth fruit, wonderful balance, acid, and tannin structure on the finish. Drinks like a much more expensive wine. This bottle is predominantly Malbec with a bit of Bonarda and Syrah. It’s a great example from Argentina’s Mendoza region. Trade Sample

Casillero Del Diablo Malbec, SRP $12. This wine is not quite as rich as the Amado Sur but pure Malbec flavors. It’s definitely a food wine but a great bargain. Trade Sample

Other great Malbec options:  Durigutti, $15; Maipe, $10; Graffigna Reserve, $12; Obra Prima Reserva, $16.99; Altos, $11; Dona Paula Estate, $15.99. These are just a few I’ve enjoyed in recent years. All are good examples of Malbec and represent nicely-balanced wines.

So whether it’s World Malbec Day April 17, or you just have the urge for something different with your steak, try Malbec!

Back to a Reasonable Price Point

19 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by in South America

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My last blog post was for an $85 Oregon cult wine. Some would say that’s not knowing the audience. I’ve built five-and-a-half years of wine writing by focusing mostly on value wine. But I think it is interesting for the reader to learn about the big things out there – and obviously, I enjoy exploring wine from all regions at all price points.

Casillero MalbecMalbec is one of my ‘go-to’ wines and should be one of yours. Some Malbecs are certainly better than others, but taken within context of price and producer, they seldom disappoint.

I’m sipping a $12 Chilean Malbec as this gets written. The wine was opened last night and needed a little air as a young wine – not for the fruit so much but to soften the sharp edges, the astringency young wines at this price often dominate a newly opened bottle.

Malbec is king in Argentina, of course, but plenty of the little dark grape is grown next door in Chile as well. Casillero del Diablo 2011 Malbec is affordable, drinkable red wine. It’s light on the fruit when opened and given a little air, but I’m getting nice rich plum and raspberry on its second night.

There is nothing sophisticated about this wine, nor would you expect it for $12. Cellartracker members give it 87 points which I think is about right. If you’re grilling a steak or about any beef dish, red sauce pasta, or even seasoned pork – Malbec can be a great choice. Try Malbec with BBQ!

One more point I make to wine friends all the time and I wrote it at the top. My last blog post was an $85 bottle of wine while tonight’s glass has $12 wine. Learn to judge a glass of juice for what it is. You can’t compare these two wines. I thought the $85 wine was fabulous but overpriced some. This $10-$11 wine is good wine at that price point. Get it?

Cassilero del Diablo 2011 Malbec, $8-$12, Recommended.