HJ Fabre Malbec

2008
Mendoza - Argentina




I think it needs more time. Then I might drink it again.


Initially disappointing for me. The Guy liked it. It was high alcohol taste for me, and quite bitter. It was definitely better after air time, and rather enjoyable a couple of days later with chicken and sweet potatoes.


Once I got past the alcohol, I got a black fruit flavor and a bit of licorice and warm spice.





Something about the bitterness of the wine and the sweetness of the roasted potatoes made a positive difference. It is recommended to serve with red meats and fine cheese.

I think a re-visit is necessary in the future with some of my brother's NY State sharp, aged cheddar and the decanter.




The rain is like an orchestra to me
Little gifts from above meant to say
Girl, you're falling at his feet
Isn't lovely or stunning today

The rain'll bring me down

--Rachel Yamagata--



8.0 out of 10 (from The Guy)
7.5 out of 10 (from The Gal)
$12 / 750 ml. bottle
14.5% alc. by vol.

Altosur Malbec

2006
Tupungato - Mendoza
Argentina

Will drink again.

This was a very good deal for the price. It was on the dry side, but the finish was fairly long and good. Blackberry with slight smoke and mushroom, it had a dark purplish-black ink color and heavy fruit scent.

We had a simple meal tonight of black beans in red wine and garlic sauce over brown rice made in organic chicken broth. I added avocado and Greek plain yogurt to mine and this wine took on a spicier, more flavorful taste than when alone - although it was enjoyable alone too.

I sing alone,
while I watch the ocean,
my lover's gone,
no earthly ships will ever bring him home again,
bring him home again

DIDO

8.0 out of 10
$9 / 750 ml bottle
13.5% alc.by vol.
www.sophenia.com.ar

Trumpeter

2006
Malbec
Argentina

Might drink again.

This was dry with a slight smoke flavor similar to a Chilean red. Black cherry flavors with some licorice and pepper and a hint of vanilla, the finish was slightly long though it was a bit bitter and it weakened out a bit at the end with a little "alcohol" taste.

We had this with turkey meatballs and bowtie pasta and it's flavor was neither detracted from nor enhanced either way. I would recommend it be served alongside a hearty grilled piece of beef and bet it's flavor would soar (as well as that of the meat).

Evening falls, and again he is there
Sitting by her in the field
Watching the sunset over the trees
Resting his arm on one propped leg
Sometimes playing with a blade of grass between his fingers
I secretly watch him from a distance
Emotions emanate from his very being
His head hangs down by his shoulder
Occasionally he stares off to the hills
Cars go by on the road, interrupting
Neighborhood dogs bark, intruding
People bike by, imposing
Still he just sits by her, oblivious to life going on around him
I quietly watch now from the other side of the field as I walk my dog
My heart aches as I think of my life in it's unbliss and look at him there, handsome and young, after all these months still devotedly by her side
They were just starting out
God! Comfort him, give him a sign, let her speak to him this time
He continues to sit by her and think, head down
Finally it is time for him to go
I am home now and watch from behind a curtain at my window, as my eyes water over
He rises up, but lingers, struggling to tear himself away from her never ending silence
He kisses the tips of his fingers, leans over and gently presses them on her gravestone, then quietly walks away

(I live across the street from a cemetery. My children and I noticed a young man regularly appearing every evening before sunset and sitting by a grave, sometimes with his dog. I was struck by his youth and devotion to whomever he was missing. I sometimes feel an unbelievable desire to go sit by him and I don't know why. One evening after he left, I went to see if it could be the grave of perhaps his mother or father. It was the grave of a 31 year old woman. I looked her name up on the internet and found out it is his wife. In a weird set of events, I found a random Email link that was posted by her husband, the man I see almost every night, letting her college friends know (who were shocked by her death) that she died unexpectedly of mitral valve prolapse in February. One day she was there, going to work, and then she was gone. What really hit home for me is her web page, for a local realty office, is still up - you can call her if you're looking for a local home. And she speaks of her husband and their dog and her picture is there, smiling broadly :( She was beautiful.)




7.75 out of 10
$10.99 / 750 ml. bottle
13.5% alc. by vol.

High Note Malbec

2007
Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina

Thank you so much to The Bro (who thinks that is such a DORKY name! I know only too well, "Bro", as The Gal was hard for me to swallow too - The Guy is the only one who can wear the cool black shades) and to Marc for your posts. I know The Bro has been telling me about the Don David Malbec for a couple of weeks so I am on a quest to find it and review it. I was really happy to read Marc's opinion of the Monte Antico and glad he found it just as good a deal as myself. And thank you, Marc, for stating your enjoyment of my little blog here. I really appreciate feedback. :)

This was a fairly smooth, blackberry-flavored, decent wine. It was a beautiful dark velvet purple color when poured and smelled richly of blackberry and earth. It had a fairly long finish that was pretty good. It lost some of its flavor when food was introduced, but came back once the meal was over and I had a glass later. So I'd recommend having it alone or find a better food pairing. (I made fresh fettucine with roasted garlic tomato sauce, turkey meatballs, and sauteed spinach with olive oil and garlic - I think it was most likely the garlic that overpowered the wine - personally I find Merlots to be a great match with garlic dishes, but perhaps not a Malbec.)

I have to say, this was $12.99 and wasn't bad for the price, but I think the previous wine, the Tuscan rated below, was a much better buy. (Now that probably would have accompanied the fettucine menu nicely!)

Anyway, give it a try and let me know what YOU think.



Tonight's ramblings are a couple of verses from one of my favorite songs as a young naive girl picking the petals off flowers saying "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not". Grown up life is so very much different than what I'd ever imagined. (I'd imagined grown up life to be much wonderfully simpler). Every time I hear this song it makes me cry. I crank it up, belt it out at the top of my lungs (usually only in my car when I'm alone), and let the tears streak my face. I'm such a sap!

Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup.
Drink it up.
Love her and she'll bring you luck.
And if you find she helps your mind, better take her home.
Don't you live alone.
Try to earn what lovers own.

And even though we ain't got money,
I'm so in love with you, honey,
And everything will bring a chain of love.
And in the morning, when I rise,
You bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything is gonna be alright.

-Loggins & Messina / Danny's Song






7.75 out of 10
$12.99 / 750 ml.
13.7% alc. by vol.
www.highnotewine.com

(Posted by The Gal on The Guy's log-in)

Los Cardos 2006 Malbec

Malbec
Dona Paula
2006
Argentina

Will drink again.

Thank you, HRChick for your comments - you wouldn't be biased would you? :)


Contradiction. That's what the word of the day seems to be - and my life today has played out that way:

After a very stressful week, and financial disarray, I debated spending any money at all on a bottle of wine. As I am having a family gathering tomorrow, I knew I had to buy something at least for then. I decided to just see what there was and go with the flow. My little one has turned six, and we are celebrating her birthday. But my mother-in-law just lost her mother (Great Granny Dot) this morning following a very brief illness.

I am grilling chicken kabobs for lunch tomorrow and am excited about a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that was wicked cheap. I will report on that at some point this weekend. For myself this evening, I considered purchasing the very cheap "Yellowtail Shiraz" because it tastes halfway decent and I have no money, yet I haven't enjoyed any wine since Monday, I'm feeling the stress of the week, and, I need something new to review. I chose Los Cardos.

"Los Cardos" means "the thistles" - flowers known for their intense, surprisingly vivid color and their sharp thorns. A contradiction. Like this week for me. My children returning to school - new teachers, new schedules. The promise of a set routine at the cost of initial chaos and uncertainty. My work schedule has returned to "normal" hours following a summer schedule of going in early, but leaving early to be home with my children for the last half of the day. Now I'm back to 5:00 p.m. yet there is some comfort in a set routine. My children are busy and working during the day like me. Yet we meet again for dinner and each discuss the highlights, and lowlights, of our day. The topic tonight turned from birthdays to death.

Great Granny Dot. She lived her life the way she wanted. She didn't care what anyone else thought. She did what made her happy. She was strong in her conviction. An admirable trait indeed. Something I've been unable to do, yet long to do. So, as my youngest turns six and we celebrate her life just beginning, we remember Dot, and remember her life as it comes to an end.
I teach our children that death is not to be feared. It is a relief to pain, a relief to suffering. It is not an end, but a new beginning. Life is amazing. Death being a part of that life. Life is indeed a gift. But there is a whole universe out there and behind it a supreme being to be met in awe. Life is a part of so much more that is all interconnected, I can feel it.

Life and Death. Do not fear the prickly flower, and its sharp thorns. Beyond them an intense, beautiful, lively color awaits.

The wine: Rich, smooth and a deep velvet hue. A nice balanced bouquet of contradiction. Herb meets berry. Hint of vanilla intermingled with subtle spice. A tiny bit of sweet, a tiny bit of acid. Mild yet pungent.

8.25 out of 10
14% alc. by vol.
$11.99 / bottle

Lujan de Cuyo
Mendoza, Argentina
http://www.donapaula.com.ar/