5 | Wine | Malbec, 86 or higher

"Opaque purple and thick in the glass, this wine has inky, supercharged aromas of ripe blackberry and spice. It feels amped up but balanced, with more intensity and clarity than what most other $18 reds offer. The flavors of wild berry, mild herb and chocolate finish in a rich, toasty wrapping."

"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 2011 Altos del Plata Malbec has a crisp blackberry and raspberry-scented bouquet that has impressive intensity and purity for the price point. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy, primal black fruit and a touch of iodine on the punchy, sprightly finish. This is a great wine for the price."

"Smoke, violets, incense, and black cherry aromas set the stage for a surprisingly elegant, lengthy wine that offers superb value."

"A rich, inviting red, with overtones of roasted coffee bean, licorice and smoke to the juicy blackberry, cassis and plum skin fruit character, leading to a Mocha Java aftertaste."

"Bright full red. Blackberry, plum, currant and red licorice on the somewhat reduced nose. Juicy, spicy and firm-edged, with a medicinal cast to the dark fruit and bitter chocolate flavors. Good honest wine with moderate depth and pliancy and a slightly green quality to the aftertaste." -Stephen Tanzer

"A dense, chewy red, exhibiting dark raspberry coulis, blackberry reduction and plum skin notes that remain fresh through the smoke- and mineral-tinged finish. Fine length."

"The 2010 Malbec offers up an aromatic array of wood smoke, Asian spices, lavender, and black cherry. Intense, layered, and lengthy, this tasty effort will drink nicely over the next 5-6 years."

"Notions of cedar, Asian spices, incense, floral notes, and black cherry lead to a smooth-textured, elegant, spicy offering that delivers outstanding value in a wine meant for drinking over the next 5-6 years."

"It has a pure natural nose that expresses the essence of Malbec: lifted raspberry leaf and wild strawberry scents with traces of dried rose petal. It is a medium-bodied with supple, fine tannins and great purity. It glides across the mouth with those raspberry and strawberry notes continuing, joined by a taut citric edge and a slight leafiness towards the composed finish. This is pure class had for a fabulous price."