2008 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon

I swear most wine from Mendoza, Argentina tastes similar - that nutty, earthy flavor - even when it's a Malbec vs. a Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is even a deep purple color like a Malbec as well. Basically, I'm convinced this wine is made from Malbec grapes ;) $15 at Costco is a bit steep for this bottle, although that's a few bucks less than you can find it for on the net. Heavy on dark fruits, with that "Mendoza flavor" (I'm going to trademark that). Not a fan, 3.5/10 - not something I'd pay more than $8 for...and even then, not my style.

Cruz Alta 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

I drank this a few nights ago as it was recommended by the Total Wine staff. Can't remember too many specifics, but decent bottle for $12 - 5.5 out of 10 rating. Blackberry, cherry...not too overwhelming and good to serve to guests.

I'm posting this one for my own records, but good reviews can be found on Cellar Tracker.

2008 Anakena Sauvignon Blanc

Now this pretty picture just makes me mad because I spent all day raking up those damn leaves in my back yard. At least it was hot enough to wear shorts. Happy Fall, I suppose.

The Anakena is more of a spring/summer wine, as are most Sauvignon Blancs, but this one is worth breaking the rules. Coming in at the $8 mark at Total Wine, it's a heck of a value. Sweeter notes of gooseberry, grassy tones, and light citrus. The Anakena is a bit thicker than expected as well. When it warms up, there is a slight "tinge" in the finish that is the only reminder that this is an inexpensive wine.

Great value, 7.5 out of 10 rating. Grab it if you see it.

Trivento Torrontes White Wine 2008

Tart. Citrus. Lemon. Limestone. Heartburn.

A bit "alcoholly" with a big sip and was not very good when it lost it's chill. This may be the first white I've had from the Mendoza region of Argentina which is typically known for it's Malbecs. This wine hails from the Trivento Bodegas Y Vinedos vineyard.

I'm sticking with the Argentinian reds as this was a bit acidy for me. 3.5/10 rating. $11 at Total Wine.

Dona Paula Estate 2008 Malbec

About 60 minutes after opening this bottle of wine, I was blindsided by a cold that knocked me out of commission for 2 nights. On night three, I'm trying to sniffle through this slightly turned bottle of wine, but am not having much luck activating my overly Day-Quilled tastebuds.

I should have reviewed this Malbec the first night rather than stumble through this post, but c'est la vie. Although I don't remeber the tasting details, it was average at best. I'll give it a 4/10, but don't take this review as gospel due to the circumstances. $11 at Costco.

2005 Pasodoble Bodega Poesia

Another top rated wine from Sam's...and I'm starting to lose faith in their Top 100 list. I opened this on Friday and by Sunday night and it's turned. I can't recommend a wine that can't make it three days. Unfortunately, I wasn't even able to have a glass to give a full review, but my wife says it was too sweet for her. 1 out of 10 rating for this $13 red blend from Sam's Wine.

AWineAWeek is proud to announce that Bodega Poesia wins the first "winery to avoid at all costs" award based on a 100% Fail for all wines tasted. I would have loved a glass of wine tonight; this is what happens when you go and wreck my 2nd night of boozing.

High Note "Elevated" 2007 Malbec

More purple passion from the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Mendoza, Argentina. Rich blackberry and black cherry flavors with a nice spice on the finish. Slightly dry. Some advice: drink it all on the first night. As it's the third night this bottle has been opened, it's not as good as night one. A great introductory Malbec wine, very easy drinking.

This Malbec was $12 at Sam's Wine & appeared high on their 100 best wines of 2008 list. What I don't like to see is that Sam's is one of the most expensive places for this bottle - it can be found for $9 or $10 several places out there.

Santa Ema 2004 "60/40" Barrel Select

Personally, I like this wine but not sure the masses would agree. It's a very powerful bang for your 9 bucks. Try with a red pasta or big steak. Heavy black currant with blackberry & plum flavors. Slight vanilla and oak on the finish. The creative folks at the Santa Ema winery in the Maipo Valley of Argentina named this wine for the 60% Cabernet Sauvignon & 40% Merlot blend.

After doing my little taste test above, I notice the sticker on the neck of the bottle where this Santa Ema was rated a top 20 value brand in October 2005's Wine Spectator. Apparently the masses do agree it's a good wine/value. Might I suggest they move that sticker to a more visible spot on the label?

4.5/10 rating. Worth trying, I'd love your feedback - my tastebuds are tired from a long day of Thanksgiving eating. $9 at Costco. Update: Caroline, my wife, remarked this morning "I give that wine a '1' because it's given me a headache both mornings when I've only had one glass!" And when you have a baby that awakes at 6am, it's not a good mix (see pic).

2007 Bodega Poesia Bonarda

Oh Lordy. Worst. Wine. Ever. Tasted like burnt plastic. Not even drinkable.

I'm out with 14 of my friends for my birthday at a BYOB restaurant where it takes about a month to get a reservation. Clever me, bringing the Argentinian wine to the Argentinian steak house...and the wine tried to ruin everything. Luckily, there were a couple of other good wines at the table, like the Cigarzin Zinfandel and another fine Italian selection I forgot to write down. Steer clear of the Poesia (which means "Poem", btw) as this one is a disaster. 0/10 rating.

Bodega Norton Reserva - 2005 Malbec

A great standby Malbec to pair with pizza, pasta, or steak. Or salmon, like tonight ;). A great value for an easy-to-find cheap wine - picked this up at Costco for $10.50, but online prices are from $13 to $18. I wouldn't pay more than $13 though. Very smooth at the start with a quick pepper on the finish that coats the mouth. Mostly blackberry standing out. 5/10 rating, can't go wrong here and it's easy to find.

P.S. This is the first week "A Wine A Week" stuck to it's name with only a single wine posted. Don't think I've gone soft - A German Fest down the road had me ziggy-zakky'ing steins and unfortunately not serving any Riesling or Guwerztraminer for me to blog about.

Altos Las Hormigas 2006 Malbec

The translated name is "The High Ants"...mmmm, sounds lovely. Bold fruit in this one. Oak and tannins on the nose. Not overly spicy, but a hint of pepper with the dark cherry and plum flavors. For $9 (at sam's wine), a very good value and a 6.5/10 rating in the under $10 category.

You'll want to pair this with a bold dish, read meat or pasta. Has gone well with my grilled meats the last two nights (burgers & those delicious new Johnsonville Turkey Cheddar Sausages (only 100 calories each)). A good intro to Malbecs, if you haven't had the purple pleasure.

Marraso 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Ordered this one at an Italian restaurant in Portland last week - had to cork it and trunk the remaining half because I was driving. I enjoyed another glass of this while I devoured my Beef N Cheddar from Arby's the next day at lunch. The Marraso really brought out the onions on the bun. Classy, I know. Chicago doesn't have any Arby's anymore and I fill that gap in my heart with that tasty gray roast beef whenever I can.

It was $20 at the restaurant and $9-10 online, with many sites notating it as a best buy. It was too grapey for us and there wasn't a finish to blog about. Vanilla and cedar on the nose. 4/10 rating. And I just have to mention the back of the bottle contained two of the longest run on sentences I've ever read...Babel Fish can't do it all my Argentinian friends.

Pascual Toso Malbec - Maipu Vineyards, Mendoza

This wine had me at "91 points" and "$8.99". Unfortunately, it only lived up to the $8.99 half of the call to action. A light, soft start on this 2006 Malbec, but a long, long peppery finish. The few sips before dinner were good; I was looking to give it a 6/10 rating. But, the label should have a warning "don't drink with leftover steak fajitas" because that 91 rating quickly became a 19 (no offense Mr. Montana). The Pascual Toso nets out at 5/10. If it's any better tomorrow when we finish it (and won't be having fajitas), I'll update this.

Lesson learned: advertising can lie. Good to know. ;)

Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec 2005

A fine malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina. It needed a good 45 minutes to breathe before the full flavor and smell came out (initially very cigary in smell & tannins were too strong), but turned out delicious. The Terrazas de los Andes Reserva is a deep reddish purple as you'd expect from a malbec. Intense cherry & berry flavors without being too fruity and a long, toasty finish (some vanilla flavors in there?). Floral tones on the nose. A very similar wine to the La Forge Syrah we had earlier in the week (very strong), but with less bite and not quite as dry. Due the more expensive price tag of $14 @ Costco, I'm going with a 7/10 rating. Well done Argentinians.

UPDATE: drink this one in the dark...it leaves a bad case of the wine teeth!

P.S. Shout out to the Drake ballers - great comeback today, thought you had 'em in OT. Awesome season, thanks.