Perhaps one of the most synonymous Malbecs around. I see this everywhere in my area: restaurants, receptions, weddings, gatherings, etc. And for some reason, people keep going back to it. It's like the Jim Beam or Johnnie Walker Red of Malbecs. Okay maybe not, but it's everywhere and we've never covered it so here we go.
Muted blackberry on the nose, with a touch of caramel sweetness below. The oak doesn't go as far as I'd hoped but it has a raw edginess to it that keeps things evolving. Floral notes show up with a bit of time in the glass, taking things from dark and earthy to sweet. The palate carries the fruit and oak forward, but things are a bit unsteady going from one to the other at a fast pace. This is more like Robert Glasper working with MCs and singers than a fine jazz ensemble. The tannins are quite pronounced, especially on the tongue, and leads to a rather serviceable medium-length finish that really doesn't develop past the fruit and oak fistfight.
It's synonymous and anonymous at this age with nothing really extraordinary to say other than "This is a Malbec and it's sort of what your average unadventurous Malbec tastes like in a plastic cup. Enjoy your event". If you're a regular reader, you know the drill.