Achaval Ferrer Doesn't Dissapoint The Brits

Jane MacQuitty, wine correspondent for The Times of London (Times Online UK) goes where not even James Molesworth would:

2007 Malbec Achaval Ferrer, Mendoza, Argentina Corney & Barrow (020-7265 2400), £12.49 Cellaring a New World wine may sound daft but Argentina’s full-throttle malbec, the country’s finest red grape, is an obvious contender. Put away this distinguished and already seductive, spicy, mulberry-stashed malbec, from one of the finest Argentine producers, for five years...

Cellaring a Mendoza malbec for more than 2 years? Yes, that's what she is saying. Achaval-Ferrer is making the best and more complex wines in Argentina right now. Very serious stuff.

Cruz Andina 2006 Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo

Chilean Veramonte venture into Mendoza with Napa's Quintessa. Very good review from ForbesLife Magazine.

...This is a round, ripe red with a fine tautness and fruit definition, and more layered nuance than Malbec usually gets credit for...

Malbecs offer great wine deals

This is why malbecs are not pretentious wines, and at the same time unique and interesting to drink and explore:

I recently tasted three Malbec wines from Mendoza, Argentina, ranging in price from $9 to $19: a 2006 Catena, 2007 Alamos and 2007 Nieto. Each of these wines were pleasant to drink, but I thought they all tasted much better with food. These wines should be easy to find.

Jim Rawe from the Bradenton Herald hits the nail in the head with the most recognized characteristic of argentinian malbecs:

...it tasted even better with short ribs that were roasted with onions over an open fire. The fat from the ribs helped bring out the flavor of dark berries and caused the wine to feel somewhat smooth in the mouth...

He is referring to perennial favorite Catena (in this case the '06). I will write more about this soon, but malbec and beef are always a perfect marriage.

Premium Malbecs in Buenos Aires

If you are planning to be in Buenos Aires between November 4th through the 6th, there is a very unique tasting event at the magnificent "Alvear Palace Hotel" in the exclusive Recoleta neighborhood. More info here and here. (the info is in spanish. Let me know if you have any questions).

The French On the Malbec Bandwagon

Just saw this at the Whole Foods in Venice, CA. The french are joining the malbec craze. Malbec finally made it mainstream.