1 | Wine | Malbec, 91 to 95

"It has a floral bouquet of wild strawberry, raspberry, rhubarb and a touch of Hoi Sin that is well-defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, dry tannins on the entry that lend this Malbec a “classic” feel. It is very well-balanced and harmonious, with light strawberry, balsamic and pomegranate notes on the minerally finish. This is a superb Malbec."

"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."

"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".

"Ripe, lush and inviting, with unabashed licorice, plum sauce, melted fig and boysenberry fruit flavors that glide over hints of spice and mocha. The long, velvety finish pumps out the fruit in spades".

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

"A glass-coating opaque purple color, it exhibits a brooding bouquet with notes of exotic spices, sandalwood, incense, lavender, black cherry, and blackberry. Dense, layered, and voluptuous with the oak fully integrated."

"Dark ruby red in color, it exhibits an already complex aromatic array of cedar, cinnamon, mocha, violets, black cherry, and plum."

"The 2009 Bramare Malbec Marchiori Vineyard offers up an aromatic array of cinnamon, clove, mocha, cherry blossom, sandalwood, and black cherry. Velvety-textured, voluptuous, and succulent, it manages to remain light on its feet despite its obvious power."