2000 Trapiche Malbec

[dananne]

You're right about the difficulty finding malbec tasting notes. For anyone who is interested, here are some quickie comments about malbecs I've tried in the last year or so. If anyone wants more detailed TNs on any of these, just let me know!

1999 Balbi Malbec/Merlot blend, $10, Smooth tannins, good fruit for $ -- my wife called this a "chick wine"

1995 Trapiche, $10, Moderate oak, but luscious and fruity

1999 Trapiche, $10, Not as good as the '95, more vegetal and bell peppery

1999 Bodega J & F Lurton, $12, Good, clean black fruit, liked it for price

1997 Felipe Rutini Reserva, $17, Initially finished hot, improved with airing with tobacco, leather, berries

1999 Catena, $20, My favorite Arg. malbec last year, juicy, round, plum, tobacco, blackberry jam

1996 Wienert, $10, Ew. Stewed prunes, smoke, short finish.

1999 San Telmo, $9, Bloody-tasting finish, not pleasant

For those who like local wines and visit the southeast, a N. Georgia winery called Tiger Mountain Vineyards makes a great malbec that's all about blackberries and smooth vanilla. Very well crafted and yummy.

Also, a S. Oregon winery, Abacela, makes a very well-structured malbec designed for aging a bit (but, it pales in comparison with their staggeringly good tempranillos).

Hope these little malbec notes are useful for someone!