|
|
 |
|
|
$34.95
|
|
|
WA 93
IWC 90
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
|
List $48.00
|
93 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "[$48 list] The 2009 Quimera is a blend of 40% Malbec, 22% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot with yields averaging a minuscule 1.3 tons per acre. The wine was aged in 40% new French oak. Pain grille, pencil lead, Asian spices, incense, violets, and assorted black fruits inform the nose of a complex, intense, layered, spicy, succulent wine with impeccable balance and length. Although it can be approached now, it will benefit from another 2-3 years of cellaring. (Dec 2011)"
90 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(a blend of 31% malbec, 27% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 18% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot; 40% new French oak): Ruby-red. Aromas of black raspberry, crushed cherry, caraway seed, graphite and licorice. Juicy and tightly wound, with an almost tart quality to the blackberry and cranberry fruit. Very young and structured but bound-up today. Finishes with good floral lift and plenty of acidity. This will need time in the cellar to loosen up and gain in nuance. (Mar/Apr 2012)"
|
|
|
|
|
|
$46.95
|
|
|
WA 91
Argentina
In stock,
11
available
|
List $55.00
|
91 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in 80% new French oak for 18 months and 24 months in bottle prior to release. Wood smoke, pencil lead, exotic spices, violets, and black currants set the stage for a savory, ripe, layered, and impeccably balanced wine with several years of aging potential. Drink this lengthy effort from 2013 to 2023. (Dec 2011)"
91 points Wine & Spirits: "[$55 list] The '08 Alta Cabernet exhibits a riper and more voluptuous style than is typical for this label. At first, aromas and flavors of figs and chestnuts predominate, red fruit notes emerging after several hours. This needs bottle age to soften, or lamb on the grill. (Jun 2010)"
Producer notes: "Catena Alta 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon presents a dark, opaque violet color with blackish tones. Very intense and concentrate wine. With aromas of ripe black fruits, hints of tobacco and vanilla from the French oak barrels. The palate is full and rich with concentrated flavors of cassis and spicy notes. Tannins that gives structure, bright, and lively acidity. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.0% alcohol."
|
|
|
|
|
|
$49.95
|
|
|
WA 92
IWC 91
W&S 91
Argentina
In stock,
2
available
|
|
92 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 Catena Alta Malbec spent 18 months in 70% new French oak and 24 months in bottle prior to release. The nose offers up more obvious barrel notes intermingled with exotic spices, lavender, cinnamon, incense, and black cherry. It opens in the glass to reveal outstanding depth and volume, impeccable balance, layers of spicy fruit, and exceptional length. It is likely to evolve for 2-3 years and offers a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2023. (Dec 2011)"
91 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Full ruby-red. Aromas of cassis, licorice, violet and musky oak. Distinctly lush and creamy on the palate but with ripe acidity giving shape to the currant, mocha and chocolate flavors. This seamless malbec verges on confectionery. Finishes very long, with fine-grained tannins. (Mar/Apr 2012)"
91 points and 'Year's Best Argentine Malbec,' Wine & Spirits: "A generous and appealing malbec, this wine has the smooth sweetness of chocolate and a great depth of flavor. It’s corseted by the acidity, which provides a clear delineation for this grand wine for lamb. (Jun 2012)"
90 points Wine Spectator: "Focused yet fleshy, offering notes of raspberry and blackberry preserves that are framed by toasty oak, spice and light mint notes, as the fruit lingers on the juicy finish. The better of two bottles tasted. Drink now. (11/15/11)"
90 points Wine Enthusiast: "Concentrated black fruit aromas are subtle and don’t push real hard. It’s jammy, deep and soft in the mouth, with sweet tannins and even sweeter core berry flavors and oak. Finishes smooth, with barrel influence and warmth. Very nice as always, but not as elevated and exact as prior vintages. Alcohol 14.5%. (12/31/11)"
|
|
|
|
|
|
$49.95
|
|
|
WA 94
IWC 92
WE 92
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
|
|
94 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "The 2009 Alta Catena Malbec comes from the Angelica, La Piramide, Nicasia and Adrianna Vineyards and undergoes malolactic fermentation in barrel, then is aged in French oak, 50% new, for 18 months. It offers a gorgeous, pure, floral bouquet with ripe pomegranate and wild strawberry imbued with superb minerality and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a tense, almost broody entry. It is a classic Malbec, one you might almost think came from the Old World, underpinned by great structure and a sense of masculinity. Yet it is superbly balanced with plenty of ripe, earthy black fruit laced with tar and tobacco towards the long, rather aristocratic finish. Excellent. Drink 2014-2025. (Oct 2012)"
92 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(from four different vineyards, each picked at four different times): Good ruby-red. Laid-back aromas of blackberry, musky coffee and licorice, with a violet note emerging with air. Superconcentrated and sweet, but with firm balancing acidity and a mineral pungency giving the wine excellent thrust. Very deep malbec with broad, smooth tannins and serious length. (Mar/Apr 2012)"
92 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is gorgeous on the bouquet, with earth, flower blossom, licorice and sandalwood aromas. It feels lush and layered, with ripe, happy flavors of sultry black fruit and cassis. Fruity, long and delicious on the finish, this is a very easy Malbec to dig into now and until 2015. (Nov 2012)"
91 points Wine Spectator: "A dark, jammy red, offering a juicy core of blackberry preserves, blueberry paste and cassis fruit that expands with hints of melted licorice, espresso bean and cocoa nib. Fine length. Drink now through 2016. (10/15/12)"
|
|
|
|
|
|
$28.95
|
|
|
WA 92
IWC 91
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
|
|
92 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "The new releases include one white wine, the 2009 Chardonnay, always an outstanding value. It was barrel-fermented, went through full malolactic fermentation, and was aged sur lie for 14 months in 30% new French oak. Aromas of buttered popcorn, poached pear, and spiced apple inform the nose of a creamy-textured, spicy, ripe, medium-bodied wine. This nicely proportioned, lengthy effort will provide enjoyment over the next 4-5 years. (Dec 2011)"
91 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Bright light yellow. Aromas of peach, apricot, nutmeg and flowers, complemented by oaky nuances (30% new). Fat, rich and sweet but with solid balancing acidity. A full-throttle fruit bomb with impressive depth and 3D texture, from a Gualtallary vineyard planted at 4,700 feet. The pH here is a very reasonable 3.2 in spite of the vines' long hang and a hint of botrytis. (Mar/Apr 2012)"
|
|
|
|
|
|
$28.95
|
|
|
WA 93
IWC 91
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
|
|
93 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "The 2010 Malbec (100%) was sourced from 46-year-old vines and spent 16 months in 60% new French oak. It offers up an inviting nose of exotic spices, incense, cherry cola, wood smoke, and black cherry. On the palate it opens to reveal a plush, moderately structured Malbec that will benefit from another 2-3 years of bottle age. Drink this lengthy, seamless effort from 2013 to 2022. (Dec 2011)"
91 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Good ruby-red. Crushed dark berries and chocolatey oak on the nose, lifted by a mineral element. Sweet, velvety and inviting, with harmonious acidity and underlying minerality enlivening the dark berry, coffee bean and chocolate flavors. Very rich and sweet without being too much. Still, I'd drink this very showy wine on the young side. (Mar/Apr 2012)"
|
|
|
|
|
|
$28.95
|
|
|
WA 92
IWC 90
Argentina
In stock,
6
available
|
List $35.00
|
92 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "The 2009 Amorio is 100% Malbec sourced from an ungrafted 43-year-old vineyard and aged for 16 months in 60% new French oak before bottling without fining or filtration (as are all of these wines). Purple-colored with legs that coat the glass, it exhibits an expressive nose of balsam wood, smoke, spice box, lavender, and black cherry. This leads to a medium-bodied, elegant style of Malbec with plenty of savory fruit and incipient complexity. Give this lengthy offering 2-3 years of additional cellaring and drink it from 2012 to 2024. (Dec 2010)"
90 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "[$35 list] Good deep full ruby. Very expressive aromas of blueberry, violet, menthol, graphite and dark chocolate. In a rather extractive, hedonistic style, perhaps a tad roasted but offering sweet, sexy, high-toned flavors of cola, sassafras and violet. Finishes supple, sweet and long, with very fine-grained tannins. (Jan/Feb 2011)"
|
|
|
|
|
|
$28.95
|
|
|
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$42.95
|
|
|
WA 92
WS 91
W&S 91
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
|
List $48.00
|
92 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "The 2007 Malbec Single Vineyard Vina Adolfo Ahumada is purple-colored with a fragrant bouquet of sandalwood, spice box, incense, espresso, black cherry, and plum. Dense and layered on the palate, it has loads of succulent, spicy black fruit, underlying structure, and a lengthy, pure finish. Give it 3-4 years and drink it through 2022. (Aug 2009)"
91 points Wine Spectator: "[$48 list] A nice winey style, with macerated black currant, fig paste and dark cocoa notes that drive through the full-bodied finish, where anise and fruitcake hints add length and complexity. Drink now through 2011. 1,389 cases made. (9/30/10)"
91 points Wine & Spirits: "Trapiche's enologist Daniel Pi assembled a group of growers for his line of vineyard-designated malbecs. Ahumada's property is in Tupungato, in the high altitudes of the Uco Valley, where the fruit has the tension of mountain-grown malbec. It's a robust red to cellar three or four years, allowing the tart black cherry fruit to develop along with the firm tannins. (Feb 2011)"
|
|
|
|
|
|
$44.95
|
|
|
WA 93
WS 91
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
|
List $50.00
|
93 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "The 2007 Malbec Single Vineyard Vina Domingo F. Sarmiento has greater aromatic complexity, more structure, and greater length. It should offer a similar drinking window extending from 2012 to 2022. Each year Trapiche selects their top three growers of the vintage and honors them with a special bottling. These wines have proven over the past few years to be among the finest values in high-class Malbec. All three of the wines were aged in new French oak for 18 months. (Aug 2009)"
91 points Wine Spectator: "This is ripe and fleshy, with lots of boysenberry, fig and raspberry fruit, but also fresh, with lilting floral and spice notes that weave in on the inviting finish. Drink now through 2011. 1,441 cases made. (9/30/10)"
|
|
|
|
|
|
$35.95
|
|
|
WA 91
IWC 90
Argentina
In stock,
2
available
|
List $45.00
|
91 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "[$45 list] Zuccardi’s 2007 Zeta is composed of 68% Malbec, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Tempranillo and aged for 14 months in new French oak (for the Malbec and Cabernet) and new American oak (for the Tempranillo). A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up an already complex aromatic array of balsam wood, spice box, tobacco, violets, incense, black cherry, and blackberry. Full-bodied on the palate with layered fruit and spicy flavors, it contains enough structure to evolve for 3-4 years and will deliver peak drinking from 2013 to 2022. (Dec 2010)"
90 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "[$45 list; 68% malbec, 18% cabernet sauvignon and 14% tempranillo) Bright saturated ruby. Cassis, blackberry and graphite aromas complemented by sexy oak tones. Large-scaled, pliant and rich, with noteworthy sweetness and breadth to the flavors of dark berries and bitter chocolate. Ripe and plush but at the same time shapely wine, finishing with sweet, suave tannins and satisfying persistence. (Jan/Feb 2011)"
|
|
|
|
|
|
$37.95
|
|
|
WE 92
W&S 91
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
|
List $45.00
|
92 points and 'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$45 list] Powerful, pure and tightly wound, meaning it’s a candidate for short-term cellaring, say 2-5 years. Smells ripe and fruity, with blackberry, cola and coconut resulting in a spot-on nose. Concentrated and juicy, with a strong constitution and potent plum, berry and cassis flavors. Toasty and lightly oaky on the finish; 73% Malbec and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon. Alcohol 14%. (Mar 2012)"
91 points Wine & Spirits: "[$45 list] This blends shows its high proportion of malbec (73 percent) with its scents of violets and its strong, refreshing acidity—the fresh and breezy side of the wine. Cabernet, which makes up the balance, contributes power with its monolithic and stately structure, pointing this wine toward the cellar. (Jun 2012)"
|
|
