Alamos 2014 Mendoza Malbec ($10.99)

Alamos 2014 Mendoza Malbec

Primarily Mendoza Malbec with a bit of Syrah and Bonarda, this is a dark, reddish-purple wine shading to a clear garnet edge. Ripe cherry-berry fruit on the nose carries over intact on the palate with a juicy, zippy flavor of black cherries, blackberries and plums plus a distinct grind of black pepper. A hint of warm spice suggests a touch of oak, but it’s not overpowering. Mouth-watering acidity and light but perceptible tannins build a good, food-friendly structure with a bit of warmth, not out of line at 13.5% alcohol. U.S. importer: Alamos USA, Hayward, Calif. (June 9, 2016)

FOOD MATCH: Argentina is famous for its beef grilled on the parilla, and it would be hard to imagine a better match for the country’s trademark Malbec. That said, this one worked nicely with a gently spicy Korean style bulgogi made with Beyond Meat beefless crumbles.

WHEN TO DRINK: Perfectly drinkable now, but this bright, well-balanced red should drink well for a year or several. I wouldn’t count on significant improvement with extended cellar time, though.

VALUE: With a $10 average U.S. retail price reported by Wine-Searcher.com, it’s a good buy for a simple, rustic table wine.

WEB LINK
Here’s a short fact sheet on the producer’s web page in English. Oddly, the winery’s internet folks haven’t caught up with the 2014 vintage, but I expect the details are similar.

FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Compare prices and locate vendors for Alamos Mendoza Malbec on Wine-Searcher.com.

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