2002 Bodegas Salentein Cabernet Sauvignon

[Innkeeper]

2002 Bodegas Salentein, Finca El Portillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza ($8.99 Chambers Street). Alcohol level 14%. Decanted a half hour before dinner; probably should have been a little longer. We still enjoyed the mostly opened wine. Gives you currents and blackberries on the nose and upfront, which is nice but uncabernet like. Nice complexity including jaminess, spice and a hint of mint cross the palate; and the finish lingers. All adding up to a remarkable QPR.

Matched with our snowbound dinner of Beef Bourgondien with salad in blue cheese dressing. Would have prefered the big, bad Pinot that we did not have; but this Cab filled in just fine.