Humberto Canale Centeium 2005, USD 130 magnum bottle (1,5 L)
Rio Negro,Patagonia.
An 05 blend with mostly malbec. Nice fruit on compote and layered with vanilla and smooth tabacco. Sound but simple and unpolished. No finesse neither complexity. A deception for the occasion and the price two. It woudn´t go more than 79 points. Bad memories remain.
Cadus, Malbec 2003, USD 47
Lujan de Cuyo Malbec from Mendoza
Nice plum and strawberries jam with big smoke ,cocoa and vanilla. A little volatile acidity (like vinegar) noticeable in the palate that faded away after a while in the cup. Much oaky. I´d go 83 points with an overpriced wine.
Nieto Senetiner , Bonarda 2005. USD 60.
From east Mendoza. nice fruity red (plum,quince) with attractive oak (mostly vanilla and tabacco) entangled without bothering. Balanced but short. Fades away too fast. I´d say 88 points,. Some pricy stuff.
Achaval Ferrer, Finca Altamira, 2006, USD 90
From Uco Valley, mendoza an outstanding malbec. Ripe and strong cherry,strawbery and raspberry with acid ripe black plum,spice like black pepper and canela. Round and deep. Tabacco and tost around. Long and strong. No doubt better in 3 or 4 years more , and I´d like to taste it 6-7 years from now. I´d go 93 points (probably 95+ in the future) Outstanding Malbec,one of the top10.
Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2005, USD 100
Blend of Malbec from diferent vintners of Mendoza. Outstanding malbec. Mature and deep. It reached its cenit. Fruit and oak in a smooth balance. I pick plum,blackbarries,cherry,some mineral earthiness. I´d say 93 points wine. Outstanding Malbec,one of the top 10.
Cobos, Malbec 2007, USD 150-180
Perdriel district of Lujan de Cuyo,Mendoza
No doubt the best malbec of Argentina. Round and delicious from every angle. After a sip your mouth is melting for another sip. It lingers minutes. With this wine it happens to me to remember its palate the day after, like stuck in my head. I coudn´t agree more with a 96+ points of RP Jr. Closest to a perfect wine.
I tasted a Nieto Senetiner Bonarda 2000 a couple of years latter and it was better balanced and attractive than this 05 with 5 years cellaring.
ReplyDeleteMiguel