Has to be a quick one today. I am on a tarmac awaiting takeoff, typing this via phone and need to file this on deadline so I am not responsible for all of next week's reviews. Wasn't too sure about much inside baseball stuff on this particular Malbec straight out of Tupungato/Uco/Mendoza. However, this was uncorked last night and I have quite a surprising hangover at the moment.
Nose: A little muted at first but quickly heads to familiar territory: dark cherry, roasted plum, and lavender. Some earthier notes of flint, tobacco and forest floor emerge with a bit of time in the glass. Definitely decant this and let it sit for about 30 minutes. The first approach was way too heavy on synthetic aromas and it needs a bit of time to sort itself.
Palate: Leads with cherry and some baking spice, with the earthy influence coming in from behind. The cherry recedes with darker fruit emerging as it goes. Fine tannins, decent acidity and very well constructed. There's nothing out of alignment of note of which to report. Surprisingly no oak or vanilla, which leads me to believe this was either aged for a minimal amount of time in oak, or not at all...possibly concrete.
Finish: Medium to long, and pretty much as advertised on the palate and nose. The fruit takes the lead and presents a very juicy, jammy ending.
This will serve you well as a bottle to bring to a dinner party or special occasion where class is the order of the day. It doesn't rank amongst the best in this price point from Mendoza, but it's certainly far from the worst.
$22