1 | Wine | Malbec, 2009

"Ruby-red. Good spicy lift to the aromas of blackberry, licorice and bitter chocolate. Pure and focused, with intense dark berry and spice flavors firmed by a solid spine of acidity. Finishes strong and long, with broad but fine tannins. Excellent potential here."-Stephen Tanzer

"The flagship is the 2009 Grand Malbec, a contender for Malbec of the vintage at this early stage. A glass-coating opaque purple color with legs that ooze down the glass, it offers up a beautiful bouquet of sandalwood, exotic spices, truffle, floral notes, red licorice, and black cherry. Voluptuous on the palate, this sweetly-fruited, dense, nicely proportioned Malbec will evolve for 4-5 years and deliver prime drinking from 2015 to 2029."

"Good red-ruby. Restrained but pure aromas of black cherry and licorice lifted by spices. Juicy but imploded; a bit tart but nicely energetic. In a rather reserved, medicinal style, in need of a bit more flesh and give. No easy sweetness here, but finishes with a smooth dusting of tannins and decent length." -Stephen Tanzer

"Spice, licorice and black tea aromas give way to mulled plum and blackberry fruit. The finish is rich, but still fresh."

"It offers a gorgeous, pure, floral bouquet with ripe pomegranate and wild strawberry imbued with superb minerality and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a tense, almost broody entry. It is a classic Malbec, one you might almost think came from the Old World, underpinned by great structure and a sense of masculinity. Yet it is superbly balanced with plenty of ripe, earthy black fruit laced with tar and tobacco towards the long, rather aristocratic finish. Excellent."

"Elegant personality but with a firm structure. Elements of savory black fruits intermingled with floral notes and exotic spices lead to a layered, spicy palate that expands nicely in the glass".

"Bright medium ruby. Primary aromas of blackberry, licorice, and violet, with a suggestion of exotic fruits. Penetrating blackberry and licorice flavors convey a high-altitude acid impression. Very vibrant, young wine with tannins firmed by the petit verdot component. A fruit bomb, but today the wine's licorice and acid components are doing battle." -Stephen Tanzer

"Notions of pain grille, mineral, Asian spices, lavender, and black cherry lead to an elegant, impeccably balanced wine with outstanding volume and length".