Originally Posted by
rolov
Ha Ha thanks im starting to get low on supply.
This weekend's selections
included a
1999 Rutini Blend
and a Bodegas La Azul from 2004 ( I don't know exactly if it was a Malbec or a blend)
Wow... I continue to be impressed. Did you source all these States-side or have you recently been to EZE...?
Originally Posted by
3544quebec
Thanks
Found this review online - I think you need to add a few more Os to your looooooooooooong if the NCZ blend is anything to go by!!
"98 out of 100...Catena Zapata’s flagship is the Nicolas Catena Zapata, a Cabernet Sauvignon-Malbec blend. The 2004 Nicolas Catena Zapata is composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Malbec. It spent 18 months in 100% new French oak. A saturated black purple in color, it has an aristocratic perfume of pain grille, mineral, espresso, saddle leather, cassis, black currant, and black raspberry. Opulently textured, complex, ripe, and sweet on the palate, it maintains a sense of elegance as well as power. It demands 10-15 years of further cellaring and should still be providing pleasure at age 50. It strikes me as being Argentina’s equivalent of a great vintage of Lafite-Rothschild." - WA
The equivalent of the wine rated above, but in its Malbec version... is the NCZ Malbec Argentino... which received 95 points from WS and 98 from WA.
Originally Posted by
3544quebec
Any comments on the Saint Felicien Malbec 2005 and what is the cellarability of Argentinian malbecs?
The Saint Felicien is a solid, consistent performer... and a good choice for an everyday wine. It will not blow your mind... but it will deliver good typicity and should leave you pleased with your selection. 2005 is a strong vintage for Mendoza... you can cellar this SF for another 3 years or so, but I would not hold it longer than 2012-13.
In terms of long term cellarability.... the best Malbecs and Malbec relevant blends made from the older vines and from established winemakers need to be cellared for 5 years before they start to be approachable, and will live in a proper cellar for 20-25+ years... however, it depends on the style of the wine... not all malbecs are designed for super long term cellaring.... the devil is in the details.