Felipe Rutini La Consulta Mendoza Malbec - 2005 - 8.7 - James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

June 22, 2008

A powerful expression of dark black fruit, Malabar pepper and spices from a Rijsttafel

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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez


Norton Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza Privada – 2005 – 9.1 - James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

April 10, 2008

Of the Bodega Norton’s Malbecs—this is my favorite.  This has gorgeous Malabar pepper, cedar box, cardamom, marjoram, boysenberry, blackberry

 

¡Salud!

****

 

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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez


Tiza Mendoza Malbec- 2005 - 8.6 - James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

April 6, 2008

 This Malbec didn’t jump out as a notable or outstanding Malbec; I was hoping for a more distinctive flavor profile that would have given this a unique signature.  A combination of red raspberry, Fuji apple, and mocha on the finish.

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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez


Bodega Mendel Mendoza Malbec- 2005 – 9.0 - James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

April 6, 2008

Bodega Mendel consistently produces a wonderful Malbec—of course—each vintage is memorable and different.   This wine proudly served with beef will be remembered.  The wines tannins are soft and silken.  The wine has a gorgeous blackberry and cassis coulis, exotic spice – cardamom, Fall plum orchard and black Trumpet mushroom; each flavor cascades to the next and back again.  The finish is pleasing.  This wine is a reminder of why we are passionate about wine.

 

¡Salud!

****

 

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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez


Maipe Mendoza Malbec – 2007 – 7.8 - James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

March 31, 2008

Maipe Mendoza Malbec might be a good Malbec if the producer did not use a synthetic cork.  The cork is highly pronounced especially on the finish and obscured the finer points this wine may have held.  Disappointing. 

 ¡Salud!

****

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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez


Familia Schroeder Saurus Patagonia Malbec - 2005 - 8.9 - James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

March 14, 2008

A balanced  Malbec; just the right touch of spice, fruit, wood.   Exotic notes of Guajillo, pure Criollo chocolate, blackberry coulis and ground clove.   Demonstrates that Malbecs do not fruit and pepper intensive.   The word Saurus refers to Dinosaurs–as it has been explained to me this has to do with Dino bones found near or at the vineyard.

 ¡Salud!

****

 

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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez 


Clos de los Siete Mendoza Red Blend - 2006 - 9.4 - James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

February 19, 2008

This wine consists of 45% Malbec, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah; each varietal works in harmony and allows for a rich and bold structure; superb confidence and such a compelling wine for beef.

This wine exhibits Black Trumpet Mushroom, fall leaves, bespoke black-red fruit Coulis, Fall baking spices, chocolate and leather.

Certainly a wine with plenitude of gorgeous and full tannins.

 ¡Salud!

****

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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez 


Bodega Norton Mendoza Malbec – 2007 – 8.3 - James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

February 16, 2008

This Malbec starts promising but has an inconsistent finish.  This wine exhibits Pasilla chile, Mace, Allspice, streamed mineral and plum Coulis.

 ¡Salud!

****

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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez


Viu Manent Colchagua Valley Malbec - 2005 - 7.9 - James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

January 28, 2008

Very disappointed with the synth cork which imparts an especially noticeable taste.  It took a while for the wine to recover from this shock; the wine with either a natural cork or screw cap would have shown through much more naturally and would have been a superb experience.   I am fascinated with Chilean Malbecs which often impart Eucalyptus; this wine not only had Eucalyptus it also exhibited Blackberry Coulis, Allspice, fresh sanded wood and forest floor.

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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

 


Becker Vineyards Tallent Vineyards Texas Malbec - 2005 - 8.9 - James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

January 6, 2008

Even though Becker Vineyards says that this Malbec is in the style of Mendoza Malbecs I do not think is a fair description.  I think Mendoza Malbecs have a unique and to not be copied style all due to that lovely Mendoza’s Andean Terroir.  This Malbec has a deeper red fruit component than it’s pepper-herbaceous quality that you might find much further south from here.  This Malbec exhibits vanilla, bramble, deep red fruit confit, and slight anise. Great with a steak or an afternoon glass of wine get together with friends. I think this wine shows Texas has promise for very good Malbecs to come.  Can’t wait to try more.  And I hope someday soon that this wine is more widely distributed; Becker Vineyards deserves more attention.

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© 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez