Alamos Malbec

[Innkeeper]

1998 Nicolas Catena, Alamos, Malbec, Mendoza ($8). This could also have gone on Rhone or Wines of Another Category, but the regional identity along with Chilian Carmenere, South African Pinotage, and Australian Shiraz give ample reason for us creating a Southern Hemisphere Thread. Back to the Alamos. This is a drop dead terrific summer red. I've seen it all over the country, so everyone should be able to gloom onto it. They claim that "This balanced and full-flavored wine is excellent with chicken, lamb, grilled vegetables, and pasta dishes." That may be true, but we think it is a perfect hamburger wine. Not plain ole patties, but complex burgers with lots of ingredients. It is 13.5% alcohol, loaded with fruit, smooth tannin, and otherwise as they describe it. If this sounds like what you want in red food wine, you've got it. Last night we matched it with grilled chedderburgers in mesquite smoke. Wonderful, and the price is right.