{"id":49,"date":"2009-04-13T13:40:20","date_gmt":"2009-04-13T13:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=49"},"modified":"2009-04-13T16:11:25","modified_gmt":"2009-04-13T16:11:25","slug":"malbec-is-a-red-wine-on-the-rise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=49","title":{"rendered":"Malbec Is A Red Wine On The Rise"},"content":{"rendered":"

Malbec seems to be the hot wine among red wine drinkers these days.\u00c2\u00a0 It's appealing, easy to drink, and in most cases affordable.\u00c2\u00a0 Given the popularity of this grape, the KensWineGuide.com<\/strong><\/a>\u00c2\u00a0Tasting Panel decided to conduct a blind tasting of this wine varietal.\u00c2\u00a0 In the blind tasting we reviewed twelve wines and recommended eleven of them.\u00c2\u00a0 The wines ranged in price from $15 to $35.\u00c2\u00a0 Ten of the wines were from Argentina.\u00c2\u00a0 The other two came from Chile and Paso Robles, California.\u00c2\u00a0 Ironically, the Malbec from Paso Robles won the tasting and\u00c2\u00a0the wine from Chile didn't make the cut.\u00c2\u00a0 All the Malbecs from Argentina were recommended.<\/p>\n

\"PeachyYou might be a bit surprised by our winner, but we weren't.\u00c2\u00a0 We had this delicious Malbec at the 2009 Boston Wine Expo and it blew us away.\u00c2\u00a0 The producer wanted us to put it in the blind tasting against some of the best Malbecs from Argentina to see how it would perform.\u00c2\u00a0 It performed\u00c2\u00a0well and lived up to its producers\u00c2\u00a0expectations.\u00c2\u00a0 What was this mystery Malbec?\u00c2\u00a0 It was the 2006 Peachy Canyon \u201cMs. Behave\u201d\u009d<\/a><\/strong> for $32<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 It is 100% Malbec from Paso Robles, California.\u00c2\u00a0 It rocked the tasting panel.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel gave this wine straight A's and ultimately scored it 92.5<\/strong> points.\u00c2\u00a0 I personally scored it 94 points blind<\/strong> and 94 points at the Expo unblind<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This wonderful wine is a very dark opaque purple and opens with a light sweet blueberry bouquet with a hint of blackberry and vanilla spice.\u00c2\u00a0 On the palate, this wine is full-bodied, wonderfully balanced, smooth and elegant.\u00c2\u00a0 It has delicious blueberry flavors.\u00c2\u00a0 You can only order this wine at the winery or via their website<\/a>.\u00c2\u00a0 There are only 294 cases.\u00c2\u00a0 Grab some of this gem today.\u00c2\u00a0 Many\u00c2\u00a0of\u00c2\u00a0the tasting panel members already stocked up.<\/p>\n

\"DonaOur second place finisher turned out to be one of the best deals\u00c2\u00a0of the tasting.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel awarded the 2007 Dona Paula \u201cEstate\u201d\u009d Malbec<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>with 91<\/strong> points.\u00c2\u00a0 One of the best aspect of this terrific wine is that it only costs $16 and there were 47,000 cases made.<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0 It should also be noted that the panelists pegged this wine to cost between $20 and $30.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel described this wine as full-bodied, exhibiting excellent balance, and displaying very rich red raspberry flavors.\u00c2\u00a0 We highly recommend you buy this terrific Malbec for your next party or barbecue this summer.<\/p>\n

\"TriventoOur third place winner was the 2006 Trivento \u201cGolden Reserve\u201d\u009d Malbec<\/a><\/strong> for $20<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This wine also was given the Very Good+ nod and was awarded 90.3 <\/strong>points from the panel.\u00c2\u00a0 It opened with a heavenly spicy blueberry bouquet.\u00c2\u00a0 On the palate, this wine was full-bodied, smooth, and creamy with slightly tart cherry vanilla flavors.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel thought this wine would pair nicely with coq au vin or blackened catfish.\u00c2\u00a0 Following closely behind the Trivento was the 2007 Susanna Balbo \u201cSignature\u201d\u009d Malbec<\/a><\/strong> for $27<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 This Malbec was blended with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. (10%)\u00c2\u00a0 This was our final 90 point winner.\u00c2\u00a0 We scored it exactly 90 <\/strong>points.\u00c2\u00a0 This offering was medium-bodied, balanced, and showed no hard edges.\u00c2\u00a0 Many of the panelists thought this wine could be even better with some cellar time.\u00c2\u00a0 If you could not resist, you could decant it and enjoy it now with a steak with a b\u00e9arnaise sauce.<\/p>\n

\"LucaOur 5th place finisher was the 2007 Luca Malbec<\/a><\/strong>. $35<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0 As readers may recall this producer won our Syrah\/Shiraz tasting a few months back.\u00c2\u00a0 Although the panel did not think this wine was as good as their yummy Syrah, they did think it was Very Good and awarded it with 88.8 <\/strong>points.\u00c2\u00a0 It opened with a musty and spicy berry like bouquet.\u00c2\u00a0 On the palate, it was full-bodied, quite smooth, with very tasty plum and light blackberry flavors.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel thought this Malbec would pair well with a big, juicy prime rib.\u00c2\u00a0 In 6th place was the 2006 Salentein \u201cReserve.\u201d\u009d<\/a><\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0 This wine scored 88.5<\/strong> points.\u00c2\u00a0 It costs $21<\/strong> and there is plenty of it as 47,000 cases were made.\u00c2\u00a0 It opens with a light blueberry bouquet with a hint of spice and oak.\u00c2\u00a0 It is medium-bodied, displays nicely integrated acidity, and is packed with juicy red raspberry fruit.\u00c2\u00a0 It would be ideal pork chops with a fig sauce.<\/p>\n

Other Recommended Malbecs or Malbec Blends:<\/strong><\/p>\n

7.) Mendel 2006 Malbec<\/a><\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0(Lujan de Cuyo, Arg) $27<\/strong> (87.3<\/strong>)
\n8.) Ben Marco 2007<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>(90% Malbec & 10% Bonarda) (Mendoza) $20<\/strong> (87.3<\/strong>)
\n9.) La Posta 2007 (60% Malbec, 20% Bonarda, & 20% Syrah) \u201cCocina Blend\u201d\u009d<\/a><\/strong> $15<\/strong> (87.1<\/strong>)
\n10.) La Posta 2007 Malbec \u201cAngel Parducci Vineyard\u201d\u009d<\/a><\/strong> $18<\/strong> (87.0<\/strong>)
\n11.) La Posta 2007 Malbec \u201cPizzella Family Vineyard\u201d\u009d<\/a><\/strong> $18<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0(87.0<\/strong>)<\/p>\n

\"FincaFinally, we tried\u00c2\u00a0three value priced Malbecs to see how they would perform.\u00c2\u00a0 In these hard economic times, readers are looking for deals.\u00c2\u00a0 Well, we found\u00c2\u00a0these 3 offerings\u00c2\u00a0to be pretty good.\u00c2\u00a0 We scored them all Good+<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 One of them was almost Very Good.\u00c2\u00a0 That wine was the 2007 Salentein \u201cFinca El Portillo\u201d\u009d Malbec<\/a><\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 We scored this wine 86.5<\/strong> points.\u00c2\u00a0 Not bad for a wine that only costs $11<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 There is also a lot of it (71,000 cases made), so it should be easy to find.\u00c2\u00a0 This Malbec is medium-bodied, balanced, and smooth with juicy light blackberry flavors.\u00c2\u00a0 It would be a fine option to have with a burger with saut\u00e9ed mushrooms and smoked Gouda cheese.<\/p>\n

The other two value options were the 2007 Budini Malbec<\/a><\/strong> $11<\/strong> and the 2007 Dona Paula \u201cLos Cardos\u201d\u009d Malbec<\/a><\/strong> $10<\/strong>.\u00c2\u00a0 We scored both of these wines 86<\/strong> points.\u00c2\u00a0 The Budini<\/strong> is medium-bodied, soft, and very easy to drink.\u00c2\u00a0 It offers pleasant light black cherry flavors.\u00c2\u00a0 We felt this wine would be a nice glass pour option at an Italian restaurant.\u00c2\u00a0 The Dona Paula \u201cLos Cardos\u201d\u009d<\/strong>is the little sister to our 2nd place finisher.\u00c2\u00a0 It is medium-bodied, balanced, and soft with no hard edges.\u00c2\u00a0 The flavor profile is a light black cherry with hints of vanilla and light oak.\u00c2\u00a0 The panel felt this wine would serve well as a pleasant introduction into red wine and particularly Malbec.<\/p>\n

We hope this Malbec tasting encourages you to go out and try this exciting red wine.\u00c2\u00a0 There are plenty of great options listed above.\u00c2\u00a0 There is also a wide range of reasonable pricing.\u00c2\u00a0 We are certain you can find one or two options that will fit your budget.\u00c2\u00a0 You can have your own blind tasting and see which Malbec appeals most to you and your friends.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Malbec is\u00c2\u00a0a fun wine and very appealing.\u00c2\u00a0 Enjoy – Ken<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Malbec seems to be the hot wine among red wine drinkers these days.\u00c2\u00a0 It's appealing, easy to drink, and in most cases affordable.\u00c2\u00a0 Given the popularity of this grape, the KensWineGuide.com\u00c2\u00a0Tasting Panel decided to conduct a blind tasting of this wine varietal.\u00c2\u00a0 In the blind tasting we reviewed twelve wines and recommended eleven of them.\u00c2\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[96,98,11,95,97,8,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-argentina","category-dona-paula","category-kens-wine-guide-tasting-panel","category-malbec","category-peachy-canyon","category-wine-recommendations","category-wine-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=49"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=49"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=49"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=49"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}