Mapema
pz malbec 2007
Press:
92 Points, Wine Spectator, 2009
"A big, flashy style, with a large core of crushed currant and blackberry fruit enlivened by a nice tangy hint of damson plum. Plenty of spice and licorice notes fill out the muscular finish. Should settle in nicely with modest cellaring. Malbec. Drink now through 2011. -J.M."
92 Points, Wine Enthusiast, 2009
"Small-production Malbec from longtime Catena winemakers Mariano de Paola and Pepe Galante, this is deep and black-fruited, with a cushioned bouquet, violet notes and blackberry. The palate is healthy and balanced, and the finish is smooth and offers a whiff of coconut. Drink now through 2013."
90 Points, Stephen Tanzers International Wine Cellar, 2009
"Densely Packed and fine-grained, with fresh subtle sweetness here. Finishes with a fine dusting of tannins and good length. A subtle and stylish version of Argentine malbec. The fruit comes from the primera zona vineyards of the Tupungato and La Consulta districts."
Luca
Beso de Dante 2007
Press:
92 Points, Wine Spectator, 2010
"Packed with melted licorice snap, hoisin sauce, plum cake and fig notes, backed by a long, broad, muscular, but supple-textured finish. Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon."
92 Points, Robert Parker, 2009
"The 2007 Beso de Dante is a blend of 55% Malbec and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 12 months in 70% new French oak before bottling without fining or filtration. It emits an alluring bouquet of pain grille, pencil lead, violets, black currant, and black cherry. Dense, spicy, and concentrated on the palate, this full-bodied effort has layers of savory fruit, enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years, and a lengthy finish. Drink it from 2011 to 2022."
91 Points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2010
"Full ruby. Very ripe, slow-to-open nose eventually reveals complex aromas of black raspberry, chocolate and clove. Fat, sweet and pliant, with a creamy quality to the dark fruit and sweet oak flavors. Shows a bit more lift than the 2006, along with lovely depth and ripeness. The cabernet element adds firmness to the wine's tannins. Broad and long on the back end. Proprietor Laura Catena was among the first producers in Argentina to purchase fruit from small growers by the hectare rather than by the ton."
Mapema
Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Press:
90 Points, The Tasting Panel, 2010
"Clean, bright and mouthfilling, this wine is grown at an elevation of 3,900 feet in the Andean foothills; mellow, lush and showing citrus, melon and spice."
89 Points, Robert Parker, 2009
"There is little Sauvignon Blanc coming out of Argentina but Mapema 2009 Sauvignon Blanc is a fine one by any standard. The wine was aged predominantly in stainless steel but 10% of the wine was aged in new French oak for 3 months. It offers up an excellent bouquet of fresh herbs, citrus, and floral aromas leading to a spicy, savory, concentrated Sauvignon with impeccable balance and plenty of length. Drink it over the next 1-2 years."
Añoro
Malbec 2008
Press:
91 Points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, 2009
"The opaque purple 2008 Malbec was aged in a mix of new and seasoned French oak and in tank. It displays a superb aromatic array of cigar box, cinnamon, incense, black cherry and plum. Medium- to full-bodied, on the palate it is smooth-textured, round, dense, and layered, The fruit is succulent and the wine has excellent depth and length. Drink it over the next 4-6 years."
90 Points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2010
"Good medium ruby. Pure aromas of black raspberry, bitter chocolate and violet. Silky, very ripe malbec, with very good lift and precision to the sweet cherry, mocha and truffle flavors. Finishes with a sexy note of baking chocolate and surprising grip."
Budini
Malbec 2009
Press:
93 Points, WORLD WINE CHAMPIONSHIPS AWARD: Gold Medal, Beverage Testing Institute, 2010
"Rich chocolate, dark coffee, and black raspberry pie aromas with a supple, round, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a vanilla cream, apple butter, and smoked nut finish. A stylish, very flavorful malbec that is sure to please as a sipper or at the table."
La Posta
Cocina Blend 2008
Press:
90 Points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, 2009
"Purple-colored, it has an enticing bouquet of cinnamon, cigar box, violets, black cherry, and blueberry. Medium-bodied, round and sweetly-fruited on the palate, it has plenty of savory spice notes, enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years, and a lengthy, pure finish. Drink it from 2010 to 2016."
Luca
Malbec 2008
Press:
93 Points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, 2009
"The 2008 Malbec spent 12 months in 60% new French oak. It is a glass-staining opaque purple color with an enthralling perfume of sandalwood, Asian spices, lavender, black cherry, and plum. On the palate this concentrated effort admirably combines power and elegance. Smooth-textured, spicy, and rich, it will evolve for 2-3 years and offer prime drinking from 2011 to 2023."
91 Points, Wine Spectator, 2009
"Densely packed with fig sauce, blueberry and blackberry fruit, all wound together by dark cocoa, black licorice and fruitcake notes. The long, fleshy finish has impressive depth, with lingering mint and dark coffee notes. Drink now through 2011. 9,000 cases made. -JM"
90 Points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2010
"Good bright, deep ruby. Expressive nose offers blueberry, cassis, violet, pepper, licorice and menthol. Sweet, creamy and deep, with a chewy texture to the blueberry and dark chocolate flavors. A weighty style but kept fresh by strong underlying acidity. Finishes with plush, ripe tannins and a lingering chocolatey sweetness."
Reginato
"Celestina" Rosé of Malbec 2008
Press:
The O List, Oprah Magazine, 2009
89 Points, Robert Parker Jr.'s "The Wine Advocate" (December 2008)
Tikal
Jubilo 2007
Press:
93 Points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, 2009
"The 2007 Jubilo is a 50-50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec aged for 12 months in 70% new French oak. A saturated purple color, the nose displays aromas of pain grille, pencil lead, espresso, black currant, and blackberry. Packed and stacked, this densely fruited effort is layered, spicy, and succulent. Give it 2-3 years of additional bottle age and drink it from 2011 to 2022."
92 Points, Wine Spectator, 2010
"Offers loads of boysenberry, blackberry and fig paste aromas and flavors, layered with velvety structure and a long, fruitcake and licorice-filled finish. This does a good job at pulling off the very ripe, heady style. Drink now through 2011. 200 cases made. -- J.M."
Davis Family Vineyards
Pinot Noir, Russian River 2006
Sonoma County Harvest Fair, 2009
Harvest Gold
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, 2009
Gold Medal
Lewelling
Cabernet, Wight Vineyard 2007
Press:
98 Points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, 2009
"Even more profound is the nearly perfect 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Wight Vineyard. The finest Cabernet I have ever tasted from this estate, it has everything the Napa Cabernet possesses, along with a few more layers, slightly more aromatic and flavor intensity, and a finish that goes on for close to a minute. The tannins are just as sweet, but there are more of them. This is a prodigious Napa Cabernet Sauvignon with all the creme de cassis one could ever want intermixed with charcoal, acacia flowers, licorice, and a hint of background oak. Give it 2-3 years of bottle age, and drink it over the following 2-3 decades. Kudos! One can't say enough about the wines produced at this extraordinary site in Napa Valley. Proprietor Dave Wight continues to turn out sleepers of the vintage that represent some of the greatest bargains in world-class Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon."
Golden Poppy
Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Petite Sirah 2007
