2007 Rutini Wines Trumpeter Malbec – Mendoza, Argentina

I held this a little longer than usual for a wine at this price point, and was rewarded with spicy black and red fruit. Elderberry, black and red raspberry, and black pepper, all with violet undertones, flowed through the glass. There is still wood, but the vanilla and touch of cedar complement, rather than overwhelm, the fruit. The finish is short, but good for the price point. Even better, at three years of age, this gem might be found in you local store’s bargain bin. If it is, grab them all. Even if it isn’t, at this price why not grab enough to get you through the summer? This would be a great match with burgers or steaks on the grill.

2006 Familia Zuccardi Bonarda Serie A, Mendoza, Argentina

The use of wood is obvious and provides much of the flavor. There is a lot of fruit, cherries with a little blueberry, but vanilla, butter, baking spice, and tannins all come from the wood. Bonarda is usually lighter and brighter, with cherry, light tannins and light acids. In this wine the grapes are upstaged by the wood.

2009 Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontés

The color is star bright pale straw with live green hue. It has aromas of citronelle, lemon pith, orange blossom & pineapple core. Medium body and medium alcohol, with a palate consistent with the nose. A very solid performer at a reasonable price. WHO Crios de Susana Balbo WHAT Torrontés WHERE Argentina, Mendoza WHEN 2009 [...]

2007 Henry Lagarde Malbec

After drinking a glass of this I discovered my heart is still capable of fluttering. This wine is intense, and complex. It is earthy and a little oaky, filled with red and black fruit and dark chocolate. Eat it with a steak still very pink in the middle.

2008 Espiritu de Argentina Mendoza Torrontés

I tasted this wine with a paired dinner at Destino in San Francisco, with winemaker Luis Villarreal. The color of the wine was light yellow and featured a nose that was filled with heavier florals that were almost Viognier-like with some tropical fruits, as well. The mouth also had those great tropical too, with a [...]

2006 Espiritu de Argentina Mendoza Reserva Malbec

I tasted this wine with a paired dinner at Destino in San Francisco, with winemaker Luis Villarreal. It had a garnet with a dark core and ruby edges. The nose had a great bouquet of black cherry, char and some cassis. The palate was full and sinuous with more toast than expected, but it’s still [...]

2008 Bodegas Etchart Reserve Malbec

On the nose I got espresso, bittersweet chocolate, herbs, spice, pepper, dark black fruit, plums, apple cider (yea, I realize that’s odd and out of place), earth, cloves, wood. I said in my notes “this smells like Christmas!” In the mouth I found black cherry, black plum, tart fruit, almost some red fruit on the [...]