Wines from Argentina

[dmuchow]

Tonight i'm going to try a red wine from Argentina, 2008 Ramirez de Velazco Malbec Reserva. I'm a complete newbie to the wine scene, but this one seems to have pretty high ratings.

How are the wines from Argentina? Is a Malbec wine going to be too much for my palate?

I guess what i'd like to know is where to start with wines. I usually drink them by themselves or sometimes with chicken marsala.

[Colt45]

Tonight i'm going to try a red wine from Argentina, 2008 Ramirez de Velazco Malbec Reserva. I'm a complete newbie to the wine scene, but this one seems to have pretty high ratings.

How are the wines from Argentina? Is a Malbec wine going to be too much for my palate?

I guess what i'd like to know is where to start with wines. I usually drink them by themselves or sometimes with chicken marsala.

I don't know anything about this particular bottle, but I love Argentine malbec. To my palate, I find it to be quite black pepper spicy.

I tend to stay away from the lower priced (around $10 or so) bottles, as in my opinion they are usually on the rough side.

Wine, like cigars is a journey - enjoy the trip!

[bassman]

Don't know that particular wine, but I enjoy those Malbecs. Good hearty wines. I agree, stay away from the really cheap ones. 2005, 06 & 07 are all excellent vintages- 2006 the best.

Try Luigi Bosca Malbec Reserva- under $20 & 2005 currently available. Luka, Susanna Balbo & Piedra Negra are also excellent. All these wines are drinkable now with a little airation & will age well for 3-5 years.

[Rogers72]

i recently picked up a bottle of Zolo Cab from Argentina b/c it was only around $10-$11 USD. I really enjoyed it. Very spicy. I think it was from 2005.

[Taino]

I'm not an expert but being in the region and indirectly related with the wine industry I know something about argentinian wine. My personal suggestions would be:

Kaiken, Malbec reserva

Kaiken Malbec ultra

Bodega del 900

Lurton, Piedra Negra

Lurton, Chacayes

Catena Zapata Malbec

There are very many good argentinian malbecs and "ensamblage" with malbec in them, but I tend to drink these

[rckymtn22]

I have had both of the Kaiken Malbec and enjoyed them. Excellent value and would recommend them.

[anacostiakat]

I don't know anything about this particular bottle, but I love Argentine malbec. To my palate, I find it to be quite black pepper spicy.

I tend to stay away from the lower priced (around $10 or so) bottles, as in my opinion they are usually on the rough side.

Wine, like cigars is a journey - enjoy the trip!

What Colt said. . .

[Ken Gargett]

sadly we see very little here - a few oddities - but the argentinians seem to do malbec as well, if not better, than anybody (there are a few kiwis that also take it seriously and do it well).

let us know what you thought.

[DocRKS]

You know what the original French moniker for this grape varietal means?

Mal bec = Bad (stinky) nose !!!

Yes, the Argentinians are taking this grape and really going to market with it ---- personally, not a wine that I seek out and there is an enourmous amount of it around here.. Good QPR if you can get past the 'bad nose'...

[terrantheman]

I'm pretty intimidated by wine but the malbecs have come highly recommended to me by an old friend. He is married to a master sommellier and they have been enjoying quite a few of these Argentinian creations and some wines from Uraguay and also Greece. I'm supposed to go get some lessons from them soon I'll let you guys know what I'm able to learn.

[dmuchow]

I enjoyed the wine thoroughly, the spice/pepper was immediately evident but not overwhelming. A great wine.

[Colt45]

I enjoyed the wine thoroughly, the spice/pepper was immediately evident but not overwhelming. A great wine.

Glad to hear you enjoyed it. The malbec discussion forced me to grab a bottle while during my most recent trip to one of my locals.

I picked up an '05 Bosca reserva - a Bassman recommendation (it better be good, bass )

I've had the Kaiken some time back, but I forget which bottling. I'll be keeping my eyes out for some of the other suggestions

as well. Here's to wine - hiccup......

[anacostiakat]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it. The malbec discussion forced me to grab a bottle while during my most recent trip to one of my locals.

I picked up an '05 Bosca reserva - a Bassman recommendation (it better be good, bass )

I've had the Kaiken some time back, but I forget which bottling. I'll be keeping my eyes out for some of the other suggestions

as well. Here's to wine - hiccup......

Having a glass my self. No Malbec though. A Sterling Cab.

[Colt45]

I tried the Bosca over the weekend. It was good - a bit less spicy than I might expect. Very dense, and perhaps just a tad

over extracted for my taste, but enjoyable nonetheless.

[bassman]

I tried the Bosca over the weekend. It was good - a bit less spicy than I might expect. Very dense, and perhaps just a tad

over extracted for my taste, but enjoyable nonetheless.

The denseness is one of the things I like about this wine. I prefer full bodied wines. And as for the mal bec, is smells good to me. Even better is the 2006 Archaval Ferreir (not sure if that's the correct spelling) but that's going to cost more.

[Taino]

If any of you can, put your hands over a bottle of Chacayes by Lurton... you could like it or not by you cannot argue is a great wine.

[Colt45]

The denseness is one of the things I like about this wine. Even better is the 2006 Archaval Ferreir (not sure if that's the correct spelling) but that's going to cost more.

I think the density took me a bit by surprise. I guess that I generally expect a "racier" style. I'll be keeping my eyes out for the

others mentioned, and will try the Bosca again.

[anacostiakat]

Doesnt look like my local carries the Bosca.

Anyone tried the Calathus or Vina Alicia? They are discounted.

[DocRKS]

Anyone tried...... Vina Alicia? They are discounted.

You didn't say what Vintage - I have had a few bottles of the 2004 V. Alicia - Highly Recommend...goes beautifully with a nice grilled steak!!!! (and this is from someone who is not a big fan of this varietal - but this was some really good juice.

[Colt45]

If any of you can, put your hands over a bottle of Chacayes by Lurton... you could like it or not by you cannot argue is a great wine.

Thanks Taino, I'll keep my eyes peeled for it.

[anacostiakat]

You didn't say what Vintage - I have had a few bottles of the 2004 V. Alicia - Highly Recommend...goes beautifully with a nice grilled steak!!!! (and this is from someone who is not a big fan of this varietal - but this was some really good juice.

Sorry. '03 for the Alicia... '05 for the Calathus..

[BonVivant]

The best Argentinian wines I had tried were in Argentina. The people of this country are very proud and I personally have a lot of respect for them. They drink only Argentinian wines, eat only Argentinian produce and drive only cars, made in Argentina.

Also, Argentinians smoke only Cuban cigars, because the cigars are not produced in Argentina, yet...

[jquest63]

I really enjoy Malbecs, if you like rich, but not dry reds try some others. If found a couple of very good Malbecs for under $20 at Costco.

[Deeks]

My father was born and raised in Argentina, so I've had my fair share of their Malbecs and blends. Personally, I'd have to say that I like their blends a little more, but they're all pretty good. Some decent names to look for are:

Clos De Los Sietes

Clos De Los Andes

&

Norton

All are around the $20 mark

As for tasty cheap bottles, Fuzion and Misterio (both malbecs) are only $7.45 and they're surprisingly good. I live in Toronto and the stores here can't keep them on the shelves.

Happy drinking!