February 2011 Malbec
Malbec at a glance: velvety black cherry, chocolate, and licorice flavors, smooth but firm tannin. Found in the wines of Cahors France, and shines in Argentina where the wines are varietally labeled. Also being grown in Washington and Oregon.
The wines tasted, discussed and scored were consistent in their scores. Using the 20 point UC Davis score sheet, when rounded to the nearest whole number ranged from 15 to 18. A very tight range with no poor wines in the bunch. Comments included: berry, dark cherry, fruity dark cherry, plum, smoke, chocolate, licorice, dark fruit, spice, herbs, well balanced, good tannins.
We started with an open discussion with 2 benchmark examples. The Terra Blanc from Washington which was the most expensive and turned out to have the highest marks. The French Malbec from Calhors because that is where this grape was originally grown and still grown today. Malbec is grown with great success and in great quantities in Argentina where most of our tasted wines were vinified.
The conclusion of the group was that Malbec is readily available at reasonable prices and will be on all our shopping lists.
PLACE | AVG SCR | NAME/VINTAGE | SOURCE | PRICE |
1ST | 17.68 | Terra Blanca/ 2006 | Washington
Red Mtn |
$30 |
2nd | 16.68 | High Note /2009 | Mendoza
Argentina |
$12 |
3rd | 16.59 | Del Rio/2006 | Oregon
Rouge Val |
$22 |
4th | 16.41 | Alto Cedro/2009 | Mendoza
Argentina |
$10 |
5th | 15.73 | Terrazas/2008 | Mendoza
Argentina |
$13 |
6th | 15.64 | Sagelands/2006 | Washington
Waluhka Slopes |
$18 |
7th | 15.41 | Gascon/2009 | Mendoza
Argentina |
$12 |
8th | 15.36 | Cahors Pigmentium/2008 | France | $11 |
9th | 15.27 | Tierra de Luna/2009 | Mendoza
Argentina |
$10 |
10th | 14.68 | Vilandes/2008 | Mendoza
Argentina |
$5 |