Argentina

Stark Raving Malbec

The Stark Raving Malbec is a non-vintage wine imported from Argentina by Rosenblum Cellars. Rosenblum Cellars has been around since 1978 and they are one of the first wineries to bring Zinfandel wines to the forefront. The Stark Raving line of wines is their entry level “brand” wine and unlike many “brand” wines, these wines…

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Restivo Malbec Reserve 2010

The  Restivo Malbec Reserve 2010 is sourced from vineyards near the town of San Patricio Del Chanar, in the Province of Neuquen in the North end of Patagonia, Argentina. Most of the Argentinian Malbec on the store shelves are produced in the Mendoza region about a 1,000 miles north of Patagonia. The Restivo Malbec is named…

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BOXWINE Malbec

BOXWINE Malbec is a non-vintage Malbec sourced from several vineyards in the Mendoza grape growing region of Argentina. Ok, the name is not all that exciting, but who would have thought that the name BOXWINE was still available? Box wines are beginning to overcome their stigma, it was always the kind of wine you didn’t…

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2010 Trapiche Varietals Malbec

The 2010 Trapiche Varietals Malbec is sourced from several vineyards in the Mendoza grape growing region of Argentina. Trapiche was founded in 1883, in 2002 they were purchased by a US investment bank and their facilities were updated at that time, Trapiche is the leading exporter of Argentinean wines. The Trapiche line includes 11 different…

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2010 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec

The Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec is 100% Malbec sourced from vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina. Trapiche was founded in 1883 and the facilities and vineyards were updated, under new ownership, in 2002. Trapiche owns 7 vineyards in Mendoza and they are the largest Argentinean exporter of wine. This Malbec was produced with all the bells and…

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2010 Bodega Elena de Mendoza Chardonnay

The 2010 Bodega Elena de Mendoza Chardonnay is one of E & J Gallo’s Argentinean wine labels (Alamos is the other), it should sell for under $10, I found it for $6.97. The grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Mendoza Region which accounts for 2/3’s of Argentina’s wines. The vineyards in Mendoza have some…

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2010 Ruta 22 Malbec

Most Argentinean Malbecs you see the wine shop shelves these days come from the Mendoza Province in Eastern Argentina in the foothills of the Andes. I went to a Wines of Argentina Trade Show a couple of years ago and out of the 25 wineries represented 23 had been founded in the last 14 years….

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2010 Hacienda Del Plata Zagal Malbec

The 2010 Hacienda Del Plata Zagal Malbec is sourced from a single Estate vineyard,  Las Marias Vineyard, located near the town of Chacras de Coria in the Lujan de Cuyo district of Mendoza, Argentina. Hacienda Del Playa is a small, family owned and operated winery and the New York Times named their 2004 Malbec as…

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2009 Zamarro Chenin Blanc/Torrontes

The 2009 Zamarro (90%) Chenin Blanc and (10%) Torrontes is sourced from the Mendoza region of Argentina. Zamarro is a brand name, not a winery, this a brand created to be sold at Safeway (and other) grocery stores, I found it selling for $3.99 on sale at Jewel’s (Chicago’s Safeway Store). This is a wine that…

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Benegas 2009 Libertad Malbec

Malbec is one of those varietals that’s always been hit or miss for me. Originally a minor blending grape in Bordeaux, Malbec is truly at its best in Argentina and has put Mendoza on the map.  It tends to have spicy and dark fruit flavors – which I love – but often with an inconsistent mouth feel. Sometimes…

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2010 Alfredo Roca Pinot Noir

The light red, see-through color on this pinot from Mendoza (Argentina) tricks you into thinking it’s going to be one of those wimpy, light-and-breezy pinots that do have their time and place, but you tend to avoid when you’re in the mood for a nice full body. It smells of a barrel full of cherries…

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2011 La Riojana 1591 Torrontes Dolce

The La Riojana 1591 Torrontes Dolce (sweet) is a Sparkling wine made from Torrontes grapes grown in the La Rioja region of Argentina. The La Rioja region is where Spanish missionaries first planted grapevines in 1591. Most wines you see from Argentina are grown in the Mendoza region, La Rioja is north of Mendoza and has…

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2010 Tussock Jumper Malbec

The Tussock Jumper Malbec is sourced from grapes grown in the Mendoza growing region of Argentina. The Mendoza region is in the foothills of the Andes and is the highest (in altitude) wine growing area in the world. The high altitude gives the grapevines intense exposure to sunlight. The Tussock Jumper Malbec is the Argentinian…

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2010 Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2010 Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from half Estate vineyards and half purchased grapes grown in the Uco Valley growing region of the Central Valley, in Argentina. The Uco Valley is a high altitude (3,700′ to 5,000’) growing area, the temperatures are cool and at that height the grapes get intense…

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2010 Don Miguel Gascon Malbec

The 2010 Don Miguel Gascon Malbec is sourced from grapes grown in the Uco Valley and the Lujan de Cuyo regions of Mendoza, Argentina. The winery has been producing wine sine the 1880s and first made single varietal Malbec in 1940. The wine is distributed in the US by E & J Gallo so the…

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