Tierra Alta Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

A very regular Cabernet Sauvignon from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. I'm totally convinced that the wines from the Colchagua Valley are better when compared with the other vine growing parts of the country... It costs about 7 Euros and wouldn't disappoint you, wouldn't satisfy you deeply neither! 14%

2010 Weingut Anselmann 'im Barrique gereift' Dornfelder Trocken, Pfalz, Germany

First of all I would like to say that I've bought this wine because I've seen the gold medal over the neck of the bottle... and the second thing, I've thought that it would be nice to try a good German Red. But I really don't know if a really very good German Red exists! I'm deeply in love with some German whites but this has been a total disappointment for me. I didn't like anything about this wine. Actually we were trying 4 of us and neither of us liked it. Too acidic and no balanced taste...

Dornfelder is created in 1956 by August Herold as a crossing of Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe. However, since these two grape varieties are also crossings, its lineage includes almost every red wine grown in Germany. With a relatively high alcohol rate of 14,5%, it costed me aroud 9 Euros. Never would buy it again...

2009 Asara Estate Cape Fusion, Stellenbosch, South Africa

This is a quiete regular wine which is priced at around 6 Euros... but the fact is that since I don't really know much about the South African wines, this has been a good introduction for me. The bottle was brought to me by a friend of mine which had recently been to South Africa. Stellenbosch is an important wine producing district located 50 km east of Cape Town. It has a well drained hilly terrain and the overall climate there is Mediterranean. Seems that first vines were planted there by Huguenot settlers in 1690. 

It's a blend of Pinotage / Shiraz / Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The grape variety "Pinotage", which is a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, was created in proper Stellenbosch in 1925. "Pinot" part is taken from Burgundy's prestigious red grape type Pinot Noir, and "age" part is taken from "Hermitage", which is one of the several local names for Cinsaut. It has an alcohol degree of 14%. I'll definately be trying some better South African wines!

http://www.asara.co.za/winery/buy-wine/red-wines/

Emiliana Coyam Red Blend, Colchagua Valley, Chile

I would like to talk about a very special blend named "Coyam". Produced by Vina Emiliana which is Chile's one of the most important organic wineries, is a blend of 38% Syrah, 27% Carmenere, 21% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Savignon, 1% Mouvedre and 1% Petit Verdot. I've already had it several times in different ocasions and was always satisfied with it. It's a rich full-bodied red with a 14.5% alcohol level. Costs around 23USD and well worths it. 

http://www.obrienswine.ie/14--to-15-//22383/

Sunday Business Post

"2009: Alvaro Espinoza, one of our favourite Chilean winemakers, is passionate about biodynamic agriculture and winemaking. This vintage is a wildly complex blend which includes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère and Mourvèdre. The resulting wine is one of the most intense and spicy offers from Chile. It’s also one of the most variable – it’s not as glossy and sweet as the 2006 vintage; rather it is a little more savoury, but the finish is as lengthy as ever, while after an hour the glass still gives off a gorgeous waft of super-ripe fruit. (90 Points) "
Tomás Clancy - 15 May 2011

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 2010 Coyam is a blend of 38% Syrah, 27% Carmenere, 21% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Mourvedre and 1% Petit Verdot from Colchagua that is aged in 80% French and 20% American oak for 13 months. It has a harmonious bouquet with blackberry, boysenberry, licorice and a touch of tobacco that is nicely focused considering the number of varieties contains in the blend. The palate is medium-bodied with blackberry and spice on the entry, bold and assertive tannins that do not upset that balance since there is ample weight of pure blackberry and cassis fruit that lacquer the mouth towards the full-bodied finish. This is a well made wine. Drink now-2018. "
Vintage 2010 Rated "Outstanding" 91 points - 04 December 2012

http://www.emiliana.cl/our-wines/biodynamic/coyam/?login=ok

Luigi Bosca Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina

That wine heaven named: "Argentina" makes really very good Malbecs! Among them one of the best price/quality ratio is owned definately by Luigi Bosca! Deep ruby red colour, with aromas of red fruits, spices and black pepper. Full-bodied and well structured. Every waiter that you go into a restaurant will recommend it to you, believe me! I'm always happy with that choice, I hope that you like it as well!The price of it in Argentina is between 20-25USD. Alcohol level 14.5%.

http://www.luigibosca.com.ar/descripcion_vino.php?idv=152&idi=ing

Luigi Bosca | Malbec

Vineyards

Finca La Linda, Vistalba (Mendoza).

Age of the vineyards

50 years.

Altitude

960 m.

Yield

7000 kg/ha, 49 hl/ha.

Variety

100% Malbec.

Winemaking

Handpicking, selection of clusters, de-stemming and manual grain selection. Fermentation is conducted in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28°C with selected yeasts. After the alcoholic fermentation is completed, the wine is transferred to new and second-use French oak casks where it rests for 12 months. Lightly filtered while bottled.

Ageing in barrels

12 months.

Tasting notes

Intense purple colour, with aromas of ripe red fruit, spices and black pepper. The intensity of the entry in the mouth is complemented with the softness and sweetness of tannins. Full-bodied and well structured. Sober, with a remarkable varietal typicity.

Ageing potential

10 years.

Recommended wine serving temperature

16°C to 18°C.

Recommended pairings

A perfect match for grilled or roasted red meat, deer and hard cheese.

Technical data

Alcohol: 12.8º - pH: 3.6 - Total acidity: 5.06 g/l - Residual sugar: 2 g/l -Extract: 25 g/l

Winemakers

José Irrera / Vicente Garzia.

2009 Rutini Malbec, La Consulta, Argentina

For me Rutini is one of the best Malbec produced in Argentina. I really enjoy drinking Rutini. The last time I was in Argentina with my group it was one of the most ordered one. I would definately order it again and again. The price I pay to this wine in Argentina is around 40USD. In some web pages it shows up around 13 Euros but I've never seen this price in Argentina...

Score: 89.

The Wine-Searcher score of 89/100 is calculated from the following wine critic scores:

Critic	Score
Wine Enthusiast	89/100
Wine Spectator	89/100

Category:	Red Wine
Varietal:	Malbec
Region:	Argentina » Mendoza
Producer:	Felipe Rutini
Alcohol:	13.5%

Felipe Rutini

The 2009 Rutini Malbec has a concentrated nose with elements of wild berries, tobacco and vanilla. The palate is full, with rich black fruit flavors and a long, lingering finish with a touch of black pepper spice.

Wine Advocate

The 2009 Malbec displays a brooding bouquet surrendering notes of brier, spice box, floral aromas, and black cherry. Smooth, succulent, and friendly, this tasty effort finishes with no hard edges. It is meant for drinking over the next 4-5 years.

Score: 90. —Jay Miller, December 2011.

Wine Spectator

A brawny style that stays fresh due to bright acidity backing the blackberry and raspberry notes, carrying floral and spice hints, with a fine, minerally finish. Drink now.

Score: 89. —Nathan Wesley, August 31, 2012. 

2010 Rutini Trumpeter Malbec, Tupungato, Argentina

One of the nice Malbec options that you can find widely everywhere. Though doesn't have very high scores, for me it's a good wine. Especially I never forget the one that we took outdoors just beside the Beagle Channel. Never forget: The best wine is the one that makes friendships!

100% Malbec, 13% alcohol level.

Score: 85.

The Wine-Searcher score of 85/100 is calculated from the following wine critic scores:

Critic	Score
Wine Enthusiast	86/100
Wine Spectator	85/100
CellarTracker	83/100 (19 notes from 14 users )