The Malbec Tasting That Almost Was…
It was my intention to put together a very nice Malbec tasting for this Tuesday evening. I, along with a few friends, went to Pearson’s and asked Michael for his recommendations. We started with a wonderful Malbec which was medium bodied, nice fruit, good balance, etc. All agreed it was a good start to completing a good Malbec tasting.
Then a funny thing happened. Perhaps it was something someone in the background said. Perhaps it was an unexpected astronomical alignment. Whatever the reason, the next wine that we tasted wasn’t a Malbec. Michael opened a blend that was wonderful. Everyone agreed that this had to be in the tasting. Before I could ask if Malbec was one of the grapes in the blend, Michael had opened another amazing wine. This one was clearly not a Malbec, but the reactions of others made it
clear that I couldn’t pass this wine up.
By the end of the evening, I had picked out 5 beautiful reds and only 1 was a Malbec. I thought to myself, “What happened? I wanted to do a Malbec tasting and I only have 1 in the lineup.” No sooner had I completed that thought, I hear Michael say “You really have to try this before you leave.” And thus, the Malbec was replaced.
Join us this Tuesday evening for “The Malbec Tasting That Almost Was…” We will be having 5 wonderful reds, among them a beautiful grenache, a big and bold Rhone, and a bordeaux-style blend that are sure to please. If the crowd as Pearson’s that evening was any indication, these wines will be sure to please.
- 2005 Bogle Petite Sirah - California $15
- 2004 Mestezaje - Spain $16
- 2005 Las Rocas - Garancha Spain $17
- 2002 Furque Syrah Roble 2002 - Argentina
- 2003 Grandy Vacqueyras - France
Cheeses:
- Horlick’s Farm Cheddar - $12.99
- Belletoile - $11.98
January 15th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Well, to say the least I was a bit stunned that we were having a Garnacha when the class is having an event devoted to that next week. Maybe we actually have a Malbec! Shock that it might be.
Reviews as follows:
1. Tart as a witch’s T… Sweep it away with a broom. In all fairness I have never like this wine despite being a best buy for many years. The Old Vines Zin is much better or the Phantom done during the Three Blondes class was a stunning wine.
2. The second was like a waltz in Vienna on a cold dark January night. What I mean is that it was dark an brooding with finesse.
3. The Garnacha - Well, the bastard stole my wine. The wine that should have been in my tasting. A fine example of fruit and complexity. Just wish I was using next week.
4. Furque - Reminds me of a 18th century ink well, be careful, don’t spill it! A bouquet of violets. A remarkable wine for an Argentine 2002. Who said Argentine wines don’t have staying power!
5. The Grandy started out well, like shit in a barnyard, but evolved into an earthy place that touched the soul. Clearly not a wine for everyone but with patience it delivered.