Not 100% sure who is behind the production of this wine, but a quick search reveals its owned by Constellation Brands (if google is to be believed). This is the name behind Mondavi and two of my favorite California non-Malbec wines of late: Harvey and Harriet and My Favorite Neighbor. Moving on, according to other sources Diseno stems from "Two of Argentina’s most highly respected vignerons supply[ing] Diseño Malbec from old growth vineyards in Mendoza." So it's anyone's guess after that, really. Catena? Balbo? Zuccardi?
Nose: A very Mendoza mix of blackberry, baking spice and topsoil on the nose, but needs about a 20 to 30-minute decant to go that deep. Otherwise, it's blackberry and balsamic. With time, there's also a faint trace of tobacco leaf.
Palate: The blackberry comes in first with earthier elements following suit on second and third sips. Very approachable with light acidity and slightly grippy tannins. Over time the blackberry gets more tart, but oak and spice help to keep things from getting too out of hand.
Finish: Medium length. Nothing extraordinary or inoffensive.
The beauty of this bottle is which vineyards and in what percentages. This makes for a fun party gift if you're a diehard Malbec fan. Otherwise, this is just basically a run-of-the-mill bottle that isn't knocking anyone's socks off but isn't undrinkable.
$12