Marvellous Malbec.
The Sommelier India Tasting Panel entered its 11th year with a recent blind tasting of Malbecs available in India. The wines were uniformly appreciated and at times we were hard pressed to differentiate between them. They were pleasing and drank well. The discussion that ensued once the labels were revealed was fierce and lively and continued till we lapsed into observations about the political scene and current affairs!
Good Malbec is a rich, deep red wine with bold fruit flavours and chocolaty finish. It has softer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon and an almost velvety structure. Malbec is made from grapes grown in the foothills of the Andes and is now increasingly found in newer, cooler altitudes which produce its best expression. Malbec is the signature grape of Argentina, although originally from southwest France, mostly Cahors, from which its local name, Côt, is derived. Given below is the list of Malbecs tasted blind in Delhi by the Sommelier India/Académie du Vin Tasting Panel. Don’t miss the next issue of Sommelier India for more on Argentine Malbec with tasting notes by our tastings coordinator, Gagan Sharma
(Aggregate scores are on a 20-point and five star scale)
2017 Bodegas Norton Reserva Malbec. 14.5% alc
Importer Brindco Sales Pvt Ltd. MRP Rs 2,610
Score: 17 ****+
2016 Susana Balbo, Dominio del Plata BenMarco Malbec. Alc 13.5%
Importer Wine Park. MRP in Bengaluru Rs 4,118.73
Score: 17 ****+
2018 Alamos Malbec. Alc 13.5%
Importer Brindco Sales Pvt Ltd. MRP Rs 2,190
Score: 16 ***+
2018 Susana Balbo, Dominio del Plata Crios Malbec. Alc 14%
Importer Wine Park. MRP in Bengaluru Rs 2,862.57
Score: 16 ***+
2017 Pampas de Sur Reserve Malbec . Alc 13%
Importer Aspri Spirits Pvt Ltd. MRP Rs 1,740
15 ***
2018 Trapiche Malbec. Alc 13%
Importer Sula Selections. Distributor Indospirit. MRP Rs 1,200
Score: 15 ***
2017 Trapiche Old Cask Malbec . Alc 13.5%
Importer Sula Selections. Distributor Indospirit. Rs 1,930
Score: 15 ***
2017 Deetlefs Malbec Stonecross Range, South Africa Alc 14%
Importer Monika Enterprise. Price Rs 2,160
Score: 15 ***
2018 Camas Malbec d’Oc IGP, Languedoc Roussillon
France. Alc 13%
Importer Radelan Pvt Ltd. MRP Rs 1,500
14.5 ***
20 Point and Five Star Scoring System
19, 20 ***** Excellent. A top wine both in itself and in its category
17,18+ **** Very good. A wine with character and complexity.
15,16+ *** Good. A wine with fruit and style.
13,14 ** Pleasant. A wine without special character. Adequate, Fair.
11,12 * A wine without interest. Dull, Mediocre.
10, no stars. Bad. A faulty wine.