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Yes - Benegas is slowly but surely expanding its network of US distributors.

You may not be able to find all wines from the Estate but at least a few labels should be available.

Albeto Benanati from Catena wine tasting in washington dc wed. may 13.


http://www.bassins.com/newsletters/2.../20090506.html

Alberto is an interesting guy to listen to at tastings.... ^

Have you tried the Nicolas CZ 2005 yet...?

Thanks, I'll look into it ^

Please PM me if you want more details, I should be able to find you the importer information for CA.

Buenos dias!
My wife and I love it here in BA. So much so, that we've extended our stay another week!
Gaucho (or any other wine lovers out there), we are looking into taking a dozen bottles of Malbec back to the States. Ideally, those wines that are not widely distributed in the US and will cost approximatly 10 to 15 USD per bottle.
Any suggestions would be appreciated...
Tim

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Here are some labels for you to consider.....

Tahuan Malbec
Animal Malbec
Juan Benegas
Escorihuela Gascon Malbec
Durigutti Malbec
Ricominciare CF Malbec

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and some more Malbecs....

Calafate Gran Reserva Malbec
Rutini Antologia XXI
Cristobal Reserve Malbec
Calafate Reserva Malbec
Lamadrid Gran Reserva Malbec

Luca, Altos De Mendoza
Pricey but good:D

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Try Nico by Luca......

Any particular vintage of the Cristobal or Lamadrid Malbecs that are worth going after?

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2005 & 2006 are drinking well now...

Excellent, thanks for the info!^

Do report back once you get your hands on some of these.... ^

Can't find the 2005 here anywhere (may order off the internet), 2006 is absolutely sublime! Sheesh! Did it with some beef kebabs and was very happy. ^

edit: this was the cristobal 2006 i'm referring to.

yes... but which one...?

the varietal...?

the Oak Reserve line...??

details please !!!!! :D

the 2006 Don Cristobal 1492 Malbec Punta Pays was the first one, before realizing it was only one out of two offerings. so then i had the 2006 Cristobal Oak Reserve, yet i preferred the 1492 for it's structure and less reliance on big juicy fruit. i'm an old school malbec guy i think, i enjoyed the gascon stuff with it's bigger tannins versus trapiche (sp?) which seemed to veer towards fruity and soft.

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hmmmm.... Have you tried Benegas....?

nope never tried it, i can check locally to see if it's available though.

You should... based on your comments, me thinks you will like the style... ^

Opened a Benegas Estate Malbec 2004 vintage yesterday..... amazing depth and complexity....

For a Patagonic option on Malbec, I suggest Calafate Gran Reserva Malbec...

Located one of my last bottles brought back from my last trip to EZE.... great Malbec !!!

Juan Benegas Malbec
Mendoza

Cant say enough good things about this red, especially for the price... if I remember correctly I paid about $12-13 at my favorite Buenos Aires Wine Merchant.

Did you use your Jumbo MÁS card? :D :p

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Juan Benegas Malbec... yes, excellent value for money!

For more special moments, Benegas makes an excellent Estate Malbec in a very unique style. ^ ^ ^

In the USA, there are no degrees of uniqueness. @:-)

:D Not only is it one, and only one, but he really means it! :-:

I was just nice to find something in the back i'd forgotten about since I've run out of the Mora Negra and have been going through Luigi Bosca DOC as fast as I can afford them.

I'm one who used to bring this home as it was good/cheap/gifts for people. I say used to only because my limited weights coming home are reserved for better/personal supplies.

But it was my introduction to Malbecs and a good place to start.

The Luigi Bosca DOC had a great reputation and delivered solid value... until the last vintage. Ive been dissapointed with the wine and they have also increased price to a level where there are better options.

Sorry to hear that. It was a reliable "go to" at even a good restaurant price point. What would you recommend in a similar boat?

Restaurant values will vary greatly... depending on the mark-ups they choose to impose.

However, retail shelf prices considered, the Luigi Bosca Malbec DOC is now in the AR$80-120 bracket and in this segment, the go-to canditates are:

Durigutti Reserva Malbec
Lamadrid Gran Reserva Malbec
Benegas Estate Malbec
Ricominciare Cabernet Franc/Malbec
Rutini Cabernet/Malbec
Terrazas Barrel Select Malbec Las Compuertas
Benegas Finca Libertad
DV Catena Malbec Malbec
Fond de Cave Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
Terrazas Barrel Select Cabernet Malbec
Ciclos Icono Blend

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Here is a new Malbec to try....

Marchiori Barraud Malbec

i had a delicious malbec at l'oubil last night... it was:

Gran Malbec Flechas de Los Andes Baron Rothschild Argentina 2007

delicous, extremely juicy, and the just the right amount of acididty

Some other Argentinian Malbecs to consider:

Bodega NQN Coleccion NQN Malbec from Patagonia. I really like the structure of the Malbecs from Patagonia. As close as you will get to Cahors from Argentina.
Andean Vineyards
Alpamanta - biodynamic producer from the just south of Mendoza City. Tanzer scored the 2008 estate Malbec 89 and the 2007 Reserva 88 points.

In the past year, I have seen Malbecs from Chile at trade shows. Has anyone else tried them?

Malbecs from Patagonia are quite different to Malbecs from Mendoza and Salta. Not sure I agree with the Cahors comparison but thats another thread material.

In general terms, Malbecs from the south will be (in general) less powerful, have more minerality and acidity as their counterparts from the north of Argentina. Its a very interesting experience to try three malbecs from Patagonia, Mendoza and Salta... this can be an eye opener... :D

A really nice inexpensive one is the Punto Final black label, which costs $9-11 in the US. Their reserve white label is a bit better and a bit oakier, for closer to $20.

On the subject of Renacer, they make a Malbec heavy blend called Enamore which is very rich, idea for those that like fruit-bomb style reds..... ;)

One of my favorite bottles of inexpensive wine. I used to bring it back to the States with me all the time. I haven't been able to locate in the States or on-line, so I think I'm out of luck until I head back down to BsAs.

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Saint Felicien is a reasonably priced line of wines from Catena. While they are not spectacular, they are consistent and offer good value for money. The best SF is the Cabernet Merlot blend.

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For Patagonian Wines that do not break the bank I suggest....

Calafate Gran Reserva Malbec
Kooch Malbec
Calafate Reserva Malbec

This producer also makes good Pinot at reasonable prices.

To me, malbecs always taste musty and mildewy. Am I just not drinking the right ones, or is this a trait of the varietal?