Taste of Argentina: #4 of 5

The Wine: Morichetti Malbec 2002 (from Lujan de Cuyo)

Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Category: Malbec
Vintage: 2002
Price: $15
Decanted: No

Tasting Notes
Color: Dark red, with almost earthy color

Nose: Not overpowering, lacked a bit, some floral and red fruit smells

Taste: Yes, I know, I'm reviewing another Malbec. I've been on a mission lately to find one that is worthy of being my house red.

This wine was very smooth, almost too smooth. I found it to be lacking the punch and the earthiness I generally find in a Malbec. There were slight hints of dried cherries and other red fruit but overall I found the wine underwhelming. Legs were not prominent, so I would assume it was pretty low in alcohol. I'm not sure I would want to pair this wine with anything stronger than a mild cheese or chicken. I allowed the wine to breath for quite awhile, in an attempt to let it open up to no avail. I would not recommend this wine, I guess what I am finding most on my mission is inconsistency.

The Verdict: 6 Corks

Has anyone out there tried this bottle? If so, let me hear how off base I am (maybe I had an off bottle). Lets hear it!

We're Going on a World Wine Tour, and You’re Invited.

So Grape Nut and I were sitting around thinking about an editorial calendar for Drink the Vine. In the world of wine there is sooooo much to talk about, that we didn't quite know where to start. We knew one thing for sure...in addition to doing some news and opinion pieces, we wanted to be more active with wine reviews and ratings. Well, we're about to do just that. Starting Monday, January 22, we are going on a world tour, and you're coming with us. First stop is Argentina!

Each week we will pick (with your votes) a different wine producing country. We will provide you with a general description of that country's wine region(s), and then we will taste and review a wine each day (both red and white). We will track our progress along the way, and will most definitely be looking for your feedback/suggestions on where to go next.

We will start in Argentina next week, but where we go after that is entirely up to you. In the top righthand corner of this page is a poll with several countries to choose from...whichever location receives the most reader votes is where we'll go next. So let us hear from you.

Have you ever stood in a wine shop thinking "I would really like to try this bottle from South Africa, but don't want to spend the money if it sucks."? Well now's your chance to let us two suckers (Grape Nut and me) go out and buy wines from around the world and taste them for you. We're sort of like the royal tasters who would eat food before the king to make sure it wasn't poisoned, but instead of poison we're looking for liquid delight.

So prepare yourselves for a head spinning tour of the world of wine. First stop, Argentina. Where we go after that is up to you...so don't be shy, step right up and let us hear from you. You never know, we might just find your next favorite wine.

That's all for now. Remember to swirl, sniff and swig. Cheers!

Drink the Vine Rating #2: Malbec; Hype or More Hype

UPDATE:
After opening a second bottle of this Malbec I realize I may have underrated this fine wine. With a little more air, I found this wine to be very good. I will be purchasing this wine again and maybe even a half case of it. It opened up with much more fruit (plum, dried cherries) and had a beautiful, long finish. I would now give this wine an eight on our ten cork scale and give it a strong recommendation for the value. Just try to be a little more patient than I was the first time. Grape Nut (impatient wine drinker)


The Wine: Bodegas Senetiner Nieto Reserva Malbec
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Category: Red, 100% Malbec, 12 months in French Oak
Vintage: 2004
Price: $8.00
Decanted or Not: No

I decided to review a malbec, because I generally like the bang for the buck you get from this wine. If you stick to certain Bodegas (wineries) you will generally do pretty well. You will most likely get a big, bold red showing a little terrior and don't usually have to pay too much to get it. Other times you end up with complete crap. This wine, I feel, falls somewhere in between.

I had heard good things about the Bodegas Senetiner. I saw it, saw the price, I bought it. I wish I could claim more research or a more esoteric reason, but not much more went into the purchase.

Tasting Notes:

Color: Dark ruby red

Legs: Good legs, bottles states it has an alcohol level of 13.5% by volume

Nose: Strong scent of dried cranberries and cherries on the nose. Almost a hint of flowers.

Taste: Wine showed nice dried fruit up front, with cherries being the most prominent (in my opinion). Strong tannins with an almost chalky, earthy finish. Mouth feel was good, with a nice velvet finish, but lacks a bit.

Not a bottle I would serve with the first course, more like the last the last course when company has been properly over served. I won't be purchasing it again, but I am not kicking my self for buying it.

THE UPDATED The Verdict: 8 Corks