High Note.... sounds like an export-only label, never heard of it here in Argentina.

Indeed. The fine print on the back indicates it's a product of Vista del Sur winery. That help?

Gaucho, for us californians, is this the proper bottle of wine? Doesn't say Nicolas anywhere on it from what I can see.

http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp...artial&Ntk=All

Hmmm..... Vista del Sur.... havent heard of the name. No matter, though, just because Ive never heard of it doesnt really mean much. There are a good number of honest well made wines that are private labels and are only sold for export, this may very well be one of them.

Brian... not sure what you mean with proper in your above post... but, the wine featured in your link is not one of the wines we have been talking about in the other posts above. The wines we have been mentioning above are two of the best wines made by Catena Zapata, they are some of the highest rated (by Wine Spectator and The Wine Advocate) wines made in Argentina, they are produced in very small quantities, made from the best vineyards and the oldest vines, and cost north of US$110-120 per bottle.

The wine mentioned in the link, while made by the same winery, is one of the entry level varietals made by the house of Catena. A fine example of what a good QPR Malbec should offer, yes, but... nothing like the Nicolas Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino or the Nicolas Catena Zapata Blend that we have discussed in our above posts.

I confirmed the N Catena Zapata blend was a 2004.
Also , last night I opened a 2004 Bramare Cabernet from Argentina ^

Thanks, you answered my question perfectly.

Guess I'll have to hunt around more than the massive BevMo chain to find a good malbec.

I'm presently working on a bottle of Parrot Mountain Malbec (Argentina). I'd never heard of it before, but my local "warehouse" liquor place is selling the heck out of it at $9.99. It's not bad at all.

Sounds like an export market private label. Im sure its only available in the USA... my guess is that its a business venture that involves the importer and their largest distributors in your state.

Rolov, you are impressing me with your choice of Argentine wine... ^ ^ ^ ^

Alex, would be interested in your opinion of Bodegas Caro 2003. Did get a good deal on a case and still have 8 left. I find it very drinkable but wondering if laying it down for a few more years will add anything?

Sam

Any comments on the Saint Felicien Malbec 2005 and what is the cellarability of Argentinian malbecs?

good malbecs from arg last a looooooooooooong time. hold 10 yrs

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

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)

I find the regular Norton Malbec (as opposed to a reserve) quite adequate and pleasant.

It is available on the west coast at Cost Plus World Market for $7.99.

Wow... I continue to be impressed. Did you source all these States-side or have you recently been to EZE...?

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.

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.