November: Argentina

The assignment: Argentina. Because of its Tango, because of its midnight dinners, and because of its delicious Malbec. Bring in your favorite, or something new.

The players: Pseudonym, Pseudonyma, Pseudorino, Sudonim, Pseudonetta, Psdudeonym, Psew Do Nymh.

The discussion:

Wine1: "sweet" "not sweet" "Tastes like old leather" "I'd go with leather"

Wine 2: "lighter than 1" "tangy" "citrusy" "this will keep mosquitos away" "a touch of chocolate" "it makes my face feel warm -- I think this could make me buzzed. Understated"

Wine 3: "I like how this smells. Mmm, good!" "I could get drunk on this" "Most complex" "a lot of fruit, but more dry" "you could soak pickles in this" "it's making my eyes water" "i see three phalluses" "hmmm" "you have to write that down"

Wine 4: "a berry nose" "very vinegary" "if I were in the desert I'd drink it" "there's nothing to it" "moldy  blanket" "the kind you had when you were a kid" "it makes me want to see a hairy french man topless" [note: almost two weeks later it's actually innocuous; i've just poured a glass using an aerator and i totally forget that i didn't like it before. for insipid table wine, this totally works! just fyi...]

Wine 5: "winner" "it changes" "higher alcohol content" [comments devolve into satisfied slurps]

The votes: 3 was the hands down favorite. 5 was second. 1 and 2 were tied. 4 was universally reviled.

The unveiling:

Wine1: Finca Lalande, Malbec 2007. Mendoza. 14% alc. vol.

Biodynamical produced fruit sets the standard in this wonderful project from the Lalande family known for producing great wines in Bordeaux. It seems a lot of big names are setting up shop in Argentina and for good reasons; the fruit is fabulous. This wine proves that statement one more time. Berrylicious, bold and spicy all at the same time; this one will be a hot seller. Get it before it's gone. ~Marc Hinton More.

Wine 2: Bodega Septima Malbec 2006. Mendoza. 14 % alc. vol.

Aroma: Fresh berries balanced with the oak of ageing, plus vanilla and roasted scents with touches of strawberry and cherry jams. Slightly reminiscent of rosemary, watermelon, pear and raspberry. Taste: Smooth and elegant flavor of very sweet tannins reminding raspberry jam. A fruity aftertaste mixed with touches of smoked oak. Very balanced and persistent in the mouth. More.

Wine 3: Diseno Malbec 2007. Mendoza. 13.5% alc. vol.

Aromas of blackberry, black tea, and flowers. Bright fruit in the center, with nice acidity. Like the lift of this wine, and its deeper black tea, tobacco, and violet notes. Really nicely made for the price (ca. $13) More.

Wine 4: Tierra Brisa Cabernet Sauvignon 2008. Mendoza. 13% alc. vol.

I found nothing online about this wine from the "Tierra Brisa" people -- apparently it's made by the same conglomerate that produces La Boca and more. For whatever that's worth.

Wine 5: Bodega Norton Malbec 2006. Mendoza. 14% alc. vol.

Deep red colour with purple hints. Expressive on the nose, ripe black fruits, violets, spices and tobacco. Persistent finish. More.

The Pictures:

[To be posted once Psdudeonym uploads them.]

Next: Guess the Chianti: Everyone brings an Italian wine (not Chianti), and I will supply the Chianti. -- idea snagged from a fun tasting I went to a few months ago.