Accompanied: Grilled chicken (balsamic) , spiced grilled sausage, salad, courgettes

Sealed: Natural Cork (broke in half in bottle)

Tasted: August 23, 2009

Abv. 14.5%

Label Description:

This rich and inviting Malbec comes from one of Argentina’s top wineries, where winemaker Herve crafts his range of award-winning wines. The Reserve Malbec, Vinalba’s flagship wine, is rich and inviting on the nose, with ripe black fruit notes and hints of smoke. On the palate it is wonderfully complex, its rich blackcurrant and plum flavours combining with toasty vanilla oak to create an elegant but full-bodied delight. Great with any red meat, but sublime with a big juicy steak.

First time in a long one where the cork broke about three quarters down. I was not able to use a longer cork screw to get it out – seemed to be glued in from perhaps some wine that seeped into the bottom of the cork. Pushed it down (and yes, did get splashed!), then decanted.

Rating: Very Satisfied

For all its trouble, a great bottle of wine across the board – 4 tasters and 4 thumbs up. Happy to say the label is pretty accurate, although I did not notice the smoke but did find a well integrated bit of vanilla from the oak.

At approximately $15, a very highly recommended malbec.