06 Malbec 'El Regalo,' Mendoza
"The 2006 Malbec El Regalo is a barrel selection aged in 100% new French oak. The average age of the vines is 69 years and it too was bottled without fining or filtration. Purple-colored, the expressive perfume reveals notes of pain grille, mineral, white pepper, plum, and black cherry. This is followed by a medium-bodied, elegant wine with outstanding depth and concentration, layers of savory black fruits, silky tannin, and a pure, fruit-filled finish. Give it 3-5 years to fully blossom and drink it from 2012 to 2025."
-- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, 2008
"Bright ruby-red. High-pitched aromas of blackberry, licorice and bitter chocolate. Juicy and tight, with a restrained sweetness and a firm acid/tannin spine giving the blueberry and smoke flavors a rather unyielding quality today. Finishes wth firm, slightly drying tannins. Serve this with food now or cellar it for three or four years."
-- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2009
Wine Details
| Country | Argentina |
|---|---|
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Region/Appellation | |
| Alcohol | 13.5% |
| Color | Red |
| Still/Sparkling | Still |
| Special Features | |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Varietals | 90% Malbec; 10% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Wood Treatment | 14 months in 100% new French barriques |
Tasting Notes
Violet-red and very intense, with black and red fruit aromas, hints of tobacco and chocolate from the contact with the oak. In the mouth, it is very complex with a combination of blackberry liquer, smoke, and sweet earth. Shows great structure combining heady fruit flavors with strong tannin structure and a long, persistent finish. Definitely a special occasion wine, it will pair well with strong-flavored foods, marinated/grilled meats, and fancier ingredients like truffles, exotic mushrooms, and foie gras.
