The Austin Chronicle held a Chrontorage wine tasting event this past week at Twin Liquors in Austin, TX. Of the numerous wines they were sampling, none were worth mentioning. However, a lone bottle sitting behind the tasting counter did catch my attention. Perhaps it was the snow capped mountains (60+ days of 100+ degree heat in Austin, Texas makes snow look very inviting) that made me inquire about it. The always courteous staff at Twin Liquors were happy to open it and pour a taste even though it was not part of the event. And I was very happy that they did!
Random Criteria: None. I sampled it at a wine tasting event.
Wine: 2007 Diseño
Origin: Mendoza province, Argentina
Varietal: Malbec
Price: < $15 (From Twin Liquors)
Notes: This wine is a great representation of the quality and value that can be had from wines from South America. The bouquet (smell) has very deep leather/tobacco/oak undertones that provide an aromatic introduction to the wine. The flavors that immediately hit me when I took my first drink was that of oak. Not in the “I’m chewing on a piece of bark” way, but a deep, rich, full bodied flavor that comes from aging in oak barrels.
Postscript: This wine pared up perfectly with the thick cut ribeye steaks that I grilled for dinner. Meat and Malbec, those Argentinians are on to something.
Salud,
Jon
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Yum, I liked that one too.
I Also liked the Casillero del Diablo Cabernet at that tasting too.