1999 Villa Mendoza Malbec

[zenda2]

I picked this one up because I've really enjoyed all the '99 Malbec, Cab and Malbec/Shiraz blends I've tried, seems to me to be 'The Year' for the S. American red wines that I've tried. (La Nina and El Nino didn't mess 'em up.) So when I saw this 'new to me' label I jumped on it.

Turned the bottle over and saw that while it's a product of the Mendoza region of Argentina, it's imported, vinted and bottled by Laurel Glen Vinyard. This means that Patrick Campbell had his paws on the nozzles at some point, and that's good enough for me to give it a try. I haven't found a bad wine yet from Mr. Campbell. His 'Laurel Glen','Counterpoint' and 'Quintana' Cabs, his 'Terra Rosa' Argentine/Chilean cab and his 'Reds' zin field blend (wotta bargain!) and newest Za Zin zinfandel, I love 'em all.

And he didn't let me down. Sure enough, this is a soft and tasty malbec (pepper and dark fruits, plums, cherries) 12.5 alc, light tannins, Went very well with lunch (beef stew) today. Maybe the best part of all...I paid $6.50 locally.

I don't see this listed at any of the Wine Review Mag sites yet...so the price is still awesome for the quality you're getting. But don't wait until the Spec or someone else points out that this is some GOOD wine for the money. Or it will be $10-$12 (and still represent a good buy) Using 'our' 2-fold rating scale, I'd say 88/93. It's a buy.

[This message has been edited by zenda2 (edited 06-11-2002).]