DAN'S WINE BLOG- THIS WEEK'S WINE REVIEW

Friday, September 15, 2023:? This week I am talking about MALBEC, which originates from France, where they call it C?t. Incidentally, the best Cahors C?t (MALBEC) is a huge, inky wine rivalling Durif, Saperavi and Tannat in monstrousness.

?Australian MALBEC has come a long way over the last two to three decades and most no longer have the stewed mulberry characters which were predominant in the variety in the days of yore. The charge has been led by the stalwarts in Langhorne Creek, who today produce world-class, elegant MALBEC.

?When one mentions MALBEC, the majority of people’s minds turn to Argentina, which these days is the spiritual home of MALBEC as it is that country’s main red grape variety, like Shiraz is to Australia and Carménère is to Chile.

?Today’s MALBEC comes from Argentina.? Although not up at the super premium end of the scale, this wine has delivered excellent consistent quality over the last few vintages.

?This week’s wine is the Piedra Negra (Black Stone) MeNdoza Malbec Reserve 2020, from Aldi. The wine is vivid purple in colour, with a complex bouquet of raspberries, fresh mulberries, a waft of dried herbs rounded out with just a hint of spice – very attractive. The palate is redolent with mouth-filling, well rounded, deliciously tasty flavours with a lingering, tight, crisp finish that makes it a brilliant accompaniment to all but the spiciest of food dishes, be they Vegetarian or meat based.

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The amazing thing is that this excellent quality wine from Supermarket Aldi (exclusive) is on the shelf for only AU$11.99 a bottle. I would have thought of it as good value at AU$19.99!!

?So if you are fortunate to live in an enlightened State where supermarkets are allowed to sell wine, I suggest you zip down to your local licenced Aldi and grab a bottle and decide for yourself if this wine is great enough to be a WINE OF THE WEEK!! Or am I full of bullsh#t?

?Have a great week and keep on exploring in wine. Cheers, Dan T.

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