Tikal-Patriota-Bonarda-Malbec-Mendoza-Argentina-2008-$15.98-A nose of dark jammy fruit, dark black in color.   A big full bodied blend, not for Old World fans.   A delicious smooth wine, plum, black cherry, chocolate and spice with toasted oak, a great value.                    RP-92                    WS-88                      CR-90                   Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Altolandon-Red Blend-Manchuela-Spain-2005-$29.99-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark amber in color.   Black currants, blueberries, cola, chocolate, a full bodied smooth very long finish.   A great bottle of wine, wish I had more, decant for a couple hours.                            WE-88                       CR-92                      Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

Match Vineyards-Cabernet Sauvignon-Butterdragon Hill-Napa Valley-California-2002-$65.00-A nose of dark fruits, currant and spice, dark garnet in color.  A smooth, full bodied and at nine years old very elegant.  With blackberry, plum, currants, some herb and tobacco finish, a classic Cab, was a great Birthday wine, cool label.                        WS-92                   CR-92                      Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Proviva S.R.L.-Maipe-Reserve-Cabernet Sauvignon-Mendoza-Argentina-2009-$11.99-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark amber in color.    A medium to full bodied, dry Cab, with plum, fig and licorice, spicy finish, nothing special, decent QPR.                    RP-90                  WS-88                   CR-85                        Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Caviar Bleu S.A.-Antucura-Calcura-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon-Malbec-Vista Flores-Mendoza-Argentina-2006-$15.15-A bold nose of dark fruits and cassis, dark black in color.  A full bodied bold blend, with red currants, black currants, licorice and dark chocolate, a very interesting wine, a bit chunky but with a long finish.                   RP-91                WS-84                 CR-90                Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Hall Wines-Sauvignon Blanc-Napa Valley-California-2009-$15.99-A nose of grapefruit and some spice, light straw in color.   A light to medium bodied white, please decant or let opened wine sit for an hour, initial pour has too intense grapefruit, softens once opened.    With grapefruit,  honey and vanilla, crisp and dry, good not great.                    WS-88                WE-91                 CR-88                  Good with seafood, cheeses, salads.

Behrens & Hitchcock Winery-The Heavy Weight-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc-Petit Verdot-Napa Valley-California-2003-$75.00-A massive nose of spicy dark fruit, dark purple amber in color.  A delicious blend, smooth, jammy, with blackberry, cassis, intense, focused and concentrated, ending with an spicy dusty finish, been waiting to drink for 5 years, was worth the wait.  Heavy bottle with great label, pop and poured, no decant needed.                    RP-93                CR-93                    Good with steak, chicken, ribs.

A-73337-Durigutti-Malbec-Mendoza-Argentina-2009-$10.77-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark black in color.   A full bodied Malbec, with fig, currants, a bit chunky in mouth feel, vanilla and spice, good QPR.                CR-87              Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Bodegas Nieto Senetiner-Cadus-Single Vineyard-Cabernet Sauvignon-Mendoza-Argentina-2003-$23.00-A nose of dark fruit and tobacco, dark purple in color. A smooth, full bodied Cab, black currants, blackberry, with tobacco and spice, very Bordeaux like, good but not as great as last couple times I had it, still decant bottle.                  WE-90              WS-89                 CR-89                 Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

Millbrandt Vineyards Winery-The Estates-Merlot-Wahluke Slope-Columbia Valley-Washington State-2006-$15.32-A nose of dark berries and spice, dark purple in color.   A medium to full bodied Merlot, with cherries, blackberry, cinnamon, and spice, a good easy drinking red.                 RP-90                  WS-88                  WE-89                   CR-89                        Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

On April 17th, we attended World Malbec Day at NYC’s City Winery.  It was a global celebration of the grape that has pushed Argentina into the spotlight of the New World wine regions. Simultaneous events will be held in over 30 countries during the inaugural Malbec World Day with dinners, tastings, harvest parties and special media events.

We sampled over 90 wines from producers large and small. From artisanal growers in the south, to marquee estates in Mendoza, it was a wine tasting trip across Argentina.

Columbia Crest Winery-H-3-Pinot Gris-Horse Heaven Hills-Washington State-2009-$10.02-A nose of floral and pear, straw color.  A light bodied white, with apple, pear, some vanilla and spice, a decent summer wine.                 WS-89                 WE-87                  CR-87                  Good with seafood, chesses, salad.

Bodega Catena Zapata-Cabernet Sauvignon-Mendoza-Argentina-2008-$12.99-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color.  A full bodied Cab, a bit chunky, with plum, black currant, fig and notes of coffee and spicy finish, good QPR, just a bit awkward.                   RP-90               WS-90                   WE-89                     CR-87                         Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Bodega J.A. Cicchitti-Emkem-Malbec-Mendoza-Arentina-2006-$16.91-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color.  A full bodied and smooth Malbec.  With black cherry, blackberry, plum and licorice with a good spicy finish, a very good QPR.                  RP-90               CR-90               Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Hunt Family Cellars-Cab 9-Cabernet Sauvignon-Paso Robles-California-2004-$29.99-A nose of earthy dark fruit, dark purple in color. A smooth, full bodied Cab, blackberry, cassis, with some vegetal and earth qualities, still needs a good decant, 4th time tried in last couple months, good not great.              NR                 CR-89                  Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

Bodegas Nieto Senetiner-Blend-Cabernet Sauvignon-Malbec-Merlot-Mendoza-Argentina-2007-$12.98-A nose of smoky dark fruit, dark purple in color. A full bodied red blend, cassis, black currant, plum, chocolate, not totally smooth but a good value.                  RP-88             CR-87              Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

 Hunt Family Cellars-Cab 9-Cabernet Sauvignon-Paso Robles-California-2004-$29.99-A nose of earthy dark fruit, dark purple in color. A smooth, full bodied Cab, blackberry, cassis, with some vegetal and earth qualities, still needs a good decant, 3rd time tried in last couple months, consistent.                     NR                   CR-89                   Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

Arrowood Vineyards & Winery-Syrah-Saralee’s Vineyard-Russian River Valley-California-2004-$22.01-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark amber in color.  A full bodied and smooth Syrah with blueberry, blackberry, bacon and spice notes, has some heat but a good Syrah.                     RP-91                  CR-89                Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.

Bodega El Esteco-Don David-Michael Torino Estate-Malbec-Reserve-Calchaqui Valley-Argentina-2008-$10.99-A nose of black cherry and spice, dark purple in color.  A full bodied Malbec, black cherry, blueberry with sweet spicy finish, good QPR.                  RP-90                WS-85                WE-87                   CR-87                       Good with meats, chicken, pasta.