Feb 10 2010

Matuco Malbec (Argentina, 2008)

Category: MalbecEddie @ 5:56 pm
This wine is a Malbec from Mendoza Argentina and available at Fresh & Easy.  We got this wine as part of a three bottle twitter tasting with Fresh & Easy that we did yesterday.  We were very excited to try this since the last Malbec from Fresh & Easy was so good.
$10 from Fresh & Easy
Three and a Half Trophies
  • Smells of plumb off the nose.
  • Deep dark and rich colors.
  • Tastes dark fruit and spice with prune at the end.
  • Out of the bottle it was very harsh, but much nicer after decanting.
  • This wine is like a crazy Uncle that says a lot of outlandish things… yet every once in a while, comes up with a comment that really displays a lot of wisdom.

Justagrape.com was provided a complementary bottle of this wine from Fresh & Easy and was not compensated for this review.

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Nov 24 2009

Ambas Malbec (Argentina, 2008)

Category: MalbecEddie @ 5:56 pm
Ambas Malbec This is an Argentinian Malbec that is another one coming out at Fresh & Easy.  We have reviewed the 2007 before and liked it so we were looking forward to trying this year out.  This wine won the silver medal in Jerry Meads’s New World International Wine Competition.
$7 from Fresh & Easy
Four Trophies
  • Aromas were complex, interesting, and inviting.
  • Scents of ripe juicy blackberry with a slight undertone of spearmint.
  • Fairly dry but balanced quite well with flavors of fruit.
  • Concentrated and deep and the blackberry aromas continue in the tastes.
  • Medium to long finish that is very pleasant.
  • Much smother in the mouth than the 2007.
  • Great tannins and an excellent value for this price-point.
  • Flavorful and interesting and at such an affordable price.  This wine is like walking into a store and finding a 50 dollar bill on the way in.  You go in and use that bill and feel so good because it feels like such a bargain.

Justagrape.com was provided a complementary bottle of this wine directly from Fresh & Easy and was not compensated for this review.

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Jan 12 2009

Bogle Phantom (California, 2005)

Category: Blend, MalbecEddie @ 5:57 pm
Bogle Phantom (California, 2005) The first time we had this wine was in a wine bar and we really liked it.  We looked all over for it in Phoenix and found two places that carried it.  Cave Creek Wines and BevMo both carried it but BevMo was a little more expensive.  The wine is a blend and it is a special edition that Bogle is known for.
$19 from BevMo
Five Trophies

  • The aroma was rich and juicy with scents of ripe fruit, rosemary and the slightest hint of black licorice
  • Right out of the bottle it was a little edgy but decanting soften it quite a bit.
  • Very nice mouth feel with flavors of oak.
  • A very earthy wine with just a subtle taste of fruit
  • Hints of pomegranate
  • Having this wine for the second time after looking for it for so long must be what it is like to be an Arizona Cardinals fan and tasting the NFC Championship for the first time.  It is a thrill beyond belief…..If you find this wine, we really recommend that you pick up a bottle and enjoy it.
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Jul 22 2008

Ambas Malbec (Argentina, 2007)

Category: MalbecMike @ 7:30 am
No Bottle Image Available This wine is a Malbec from Argentina. We picked this up because we saw that it was a fairly new arrival to Fresh & Easy.
$7 from Fresh & Easy
Three and a Half Trophies
  • Aromas of ripe fruit.
  • Masculine notes of leather and spice in the taste.
  • High tannin content makes it a bit harsh in the mouth.
  • Rich and robust tastes of oak and cigar with a lingering finish.
  • This wine is not the like the weight watchers breakfast of fresh fruit and yogurt….this wine is much more like a stick to your ribs country style breakfast of steak and eggs with a side of corn beef hash.
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May 11 2008

Catena Malbec (Argentina, 2005)

Category: MalbecMike @ 4:40 pm
Catena Malbec (Argentina, 2005) This is a Malbec from the Mendoza region in Argentina.
$18 from Costco
Three and a Half Trophies
  • Spicy aromas with a hint of marmalade.
  • Oak flavors with higher tannins.
  • Decanting is recommended.
  • Tastes of dried cherries.
  • Like a person who floats around from one group of friends to another group of friends….they come and go as they please and you never know when they are going to show up… but when they do show up, they are usually pretty fun to hang out with.
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Mar 03 2008

Terraza Malbec (Argentina, 2006)

Category: MalbecMike @ 6:55 am
terraza.jpg This is a Malbec from Argentina. I was looking for something to just unwind with while grilling after a long week at work. Somebody in the store (not an employee) had some good things to say about this wine so I figured I would give her a try.
$10 From Fresh and Easy
Four Trophies
  • Strong aromas of fresh berries
  • Good balance between earthiness and fruitiness
  • Toasted oak flavors mix well with hints fruits such as plum and black cherry
  • Hints of cranberry towards the end
  • Very easy to drink with a meal or by itself
  • This wine is simple yet brings enough to the table so you will enjoy it……Like going over to Grandmas for Sunday dinner….The meal is simple and old fashioned but you enjoy every minute of being there.
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Jan 17 2008

La Boca Malbec (Argentina 2006)

Category: MalbecEddie @ 7:06 am
2006 La Boca Malbec This wine is a Malbec from Argentina. Argentina, with its sinking currency is now finally able to challenge Chilean wine for a corner of the inexpensive wine market in North America. The label has been created to replicate the colorful houses that make up the town of La Boca that is nestled at the foothills of the Andes. We do suggest trying this because for the price it is well worth it.
$3 at Trader Joe’s
Two Trophies
  • Hints of Chocolate and coffee in the aroma
  • The aroma is intense
  • The taste was slightly spicy witha little plum
  • A bit harsher than past vintages
  • Very dry wine with a lot of tannins
  • One dimensional in its flavor and a little boring.
  • This wine is like free tickets to a baseball game between two teams you do not have a vested interest in. Your glad you got them and not upset that you went, but were not overly thrilled while you were there. It was better than sitting around the house all night but not exactly the World Series either.
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Dec 22 2007

Black Mountain Malbec (California 2003)

Category: MalbecMike @ 2:52 pm
Black Mountin Malbec This wine is a Malbec from California by Trader Joes private label winery Black Mountain.
$5 Purchased at Trader Joe’s
Two Trophies
  • Strong blueberry notes
  • Good with shrimp
  • Girl that looks really good, but once you date her you want someone else; not satisfying and leaves you wanting something else.
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Dec 20 2007

Panilonco (Chile 2005)

Category: Blend, Malbec, MerlotMike @ 9:52 am
Panilonco This wine is a Merlot/Malbec blend from Chile.
$8
Three Trophies
  • Citrus, grapefruit.
  • Very pungent, bold.
  • Spicy and a little peppery.
  • Lots of tannins.
  • Decanting highly recommended.
  • Very good wine and there is a lot to it.
  • A good wine with a lot going on…drinking it is kinda like watching the game and trying to pay attention to your wife talking to you about changing the color scheme of your kitchen.
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