Blackberry, blueberry, and a bit of cherry rise up from the glass. Blueberry and cherry, fresh and candied, lead on the palate. More depth, with bramble and leather, come out on the mid-palate. Tannins and mouth-feel are round and opulent. Drink with duck. Recommended. 88 points. DBH WHO: Rodney Strong
This is a wine that will show its best next to a slow-cooked roast. Red fruit and tobacco leaf waft up from the glass. A sip brings dusty red fruit, tobacco leaf, tomato, with a closing touch of vanilla. Tart rhubarb lingers. Tannins are a bit muscular, acidity lively. Drink
Black cherry, espresso, and unsweetened chocolate come out on the nose. The palate shows black cherry, blueberry, and humus. This is a burger wine, preferably one with sautéed onions and brie. Recommended. 86 points. DBH WHO: Zolo WHAT: Malbec WHEN: 2016 WHERE: Mendoza, Argentina HOW MUCH: $12 (media sample) POINTS:
Aromas of blueberry and dark chocolate come up from the glass. Blackberries lead on the palate, followed by chocolate and espresso. Tannins are grippy, and will need a well-marbled New York Strip to allow all the fruit to come through. Recommended. 89 points. DBH WHO: Gascon WHAT: Malbec WHEN: 2014
Aromas of plum, black cherry, and tobacco leaf roll up from the glass. Plum, unsweetened chocolate, and tobacco lead on the attack, followed by black cherry on the mid-palate. Tannins are fine-grained with almost no bite. This is rich, full, and round, filled with black and red fruit. Drink with tira
The nose is huge, filled with dried blueberries and herbs. The palate is even bigger, with fresh and dried black cherries, blueberries, espresso, unsweetened chocolate, and cloves. Tannins are powerful and smooth, mouth feel big and meaty. Drink with well-marbled ribeye to tame the big tannins and let the fruit
Aromas of blackberries, blueberries, and violets waft up from the glass. Blueberry and boysenberry explode on the palate, violets, licorice, and unsweetened chocolate follow. Violets linger forever. Drink with mojo-marinated skirt steak. Highly Recommended. 94 points. DBH WHO: Ben Marco WHAT: Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon WHEN: 2013 DESIGNATION: Expresivo
The color is almost opaque in the center and purple around the edges. Plums and roses show on the nose. Pomegranate, then strawberry, lead a fresh, bright palate, backed with roses and white chocolate. This is a very pretty wine. Drink with skirt steak with salsa criolla. Highly Recommended. 91