Tasting - Weinert Carrascal

Name: Weinert Carrascal
Variety: 40% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2008
Price: $13.95

Winery Review: It t has a rustic blackberry, scorched earth and leather-scented bouquet with bunches of pressed flowers. The palate is well-balanced with crisp tannins, expressive black tarry fruit and a Bordeaux-like finish.

My Review: This wine had a very leathery, heavy oak aroma. It also had a burnt wood smell. Upon tasting, it had a very heavy burnt, oaky flavor and very high tannins with an acidic finish. The tannins and oak overpowered the wine and I got no fruit flavors and it seemed very unbalanced.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Santa Julia Malbec

Name: Santa Julia
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: The nose is full of mellow raspberry and cherry, while the palate is fleshy and round, with blackberry and a touch of raisin. Plump, not edgy, and ready to drink with coffee and mocha notes on the finish.

My Review: This Malbec had aromas of raspberry and blackberry with some smells of oak. After tasting, the fruit flavors of berries came through and had a light tannic finish. It was very smooth and easy to drink.

I did not  have food with this wine.

Tasting - Entrada Malbec

Name:Entrada Malbec
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Firm and structured, this is a solid wine, laced with mineral acidity and tight tannins. It has a juicy, blackberry fruit component cutting through the texture.

My Review: This wine had a very grassy and woody aroma. Upon tasting, there were fruit and berry flavors with a slight acidic finish. Overall, a smooth wine that wasn't bad but was not great.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Maipe Malbec

Name: Maipe Malbec
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Deep purple color with violet tints, complex plum, fig, strawberry, spices and floral aromas; rounded and velvety tannins, excellent length with a distinguished character. Excellent when paired with game, roasted red meats, pasta or pizza.

My Review: This wine had a spicy, woody aroma with not much fruit. After tasting, it was smooth on the front and mid palates but had a high tannic finish. I did not get much fruit flavor throughout the wine.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Ryan Patrick Red Head Red

Name: Ryan Patrick Redhead Red
Variety: 88% Merlot, 10% Primitivo, 2% Malbec
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $10.95

Winery Review: Supple and succulent, with pretty cherry, pomegranate and spice flavors on a medium-weight frame, lingering pleasantly.

My Review: This wine had a bitter yet sweet bean paste aroma to it. After tasting, it was smooth with slight acidity in the finish. The tannins were light while the flavor came through as a sweet bean paste. Overall, not a bad red.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Postales Cabernet/Malbec

Name: Postales Cabernet/Malbec
Variety: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec
Region: Patagonia
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $12.95

Winery Review: Intense red color with violet hues. Aromas of red fruits, ripe berries & plum. Gentle and pleasant on the mouth with soft tannins and a long balanced after taste.

My Review: This red had a strong floral aroma with not much fruit aromas. After tasting, the tannins were definitely softer than other reds and it had a slightly acidic finish. I also found this wine to be a bit bitter which I did not like.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Marc Roman Malbec

Name: Marc Roman Malbec
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Languedoc Roussillon
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $10.95

Winery Review: A heat loving varietal, Malbec thrives in the warm sunshine of Southern France where consistent weather and patience allow tannins to ripen fully. It's this warm climate that allows Marc Roman to make a rich and velvety Malbec, packed with black spice notes and dark berry fruit.

My Review: This wine had a very woody and smoky aroma. There were nice fruity flavors after tasting with a light tannic finish. However, though the different components were not overpowering, the wine seemed a bit thin for a red which took away from its fullness.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Fetzer Malbec 2011

Name: Fetzer Malbec 2011
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Delicious Malbec is 100% from Mendoza, Argentina. It has a vibrant red color with violet tones. Subtle and delicious aromas with an intense mixture of red fruits, plum and cherry jam. On the palate it's juicy and has intense wood-like tannins that make it a rustic, yet versatile wine. Long finish.

My Review: This wine seemed lighter than the Garnacha. The tannins were present but not overpowering. I did not get a wood taste but I did get some of the fruit flavors coming through. Not my favorite but a better red wine than others.

I did not have this wine with food.