2009 Maipe Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Argentina) - Wine Review

Purchased this Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignon from the November 12 Vintages release, and probably should've held on to this red wine a bit longer as the tannins needed more time to develop.

MAIPE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 - Mendoza, Argentina (#246116) (D) - $17.95

Tasting Note:
Cherry aromas from the cork. Earth, currant and cassis aromas in the glass, and follow through on the palate with herbal spiciness and espresso. I knew I should've waited opening this one, as tannins need more time (1-2 years) to settle down. It went well with homemade Christmas fruit cake.

***edit***
Chocolate and espresso flavours come to the fore on the second day. This is tasting MUCH better tonight. Try an aerator or decant if opening in the near future. This should pair well with oven-roasted whole chicken, with garlic mash potatoes.

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2008 Zuccardi Q Tempranillo (Argentina) - Wine Review

Last night's wine was purchased from the June 25 Vintages Release, which had a major focus on wines from Argentina.

ZUCCARDI Q TEMPRANILLO 2008 - Santa Rosa Vineyards, Mendoza, Argentina (#973503) - $19.95

Tasting Note:
Made with grapes from 40 year-old vines. Aromas of red berries, blackberry join the flavour profile with lots of pepper/spice, and a touch of cola. Letting the wine breathe in glass relieves some of the spiciness. Chewy tannins will reward ageing another 1-2 years. This is definitely a good wine for the BBQ. I enjoyed this wine with chicken shish kebabs and wings prepared over a charcoal BBQ.

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Review: Chakana Bonarda 2007 - Mendoza, Argentina

Got this one back in January 2008 and let it sit in the basement until this evening.

CHAKANA BONARDA 2007 - Mendoza, Argentina (#003525) - $13.95

Tasting Note:
Made with 'Bonarda' grapes, this wine has sweet, ripe, dark fruit, earth and light oak aromas. Raspberry, milk chocolate flavours. Light-medium bodied. Ripe. Starts off extremely dry, and fruit comes forward at mid-length. Very dry and tasty. Would go well with lighter fare - I'll be having it with Jhura (sp?) Chicken tonight.

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Fuzion Alta Malbec Reserva 2009 - Mendoza, Argentina

I opened the Fuzion Alta Malbec Reserva 2009 (#135475) from the Zuccardi Family of wines last night and did not really enjoy it. It was lacking some complexity and seemed shallow.

Blackberry, dark fruit aromas. Inky, blackberry, iodine, cocoa flavours. Medium-long finish.

It was a Christmas gift from someone. For $9.95, it wasn't bad, I suppose.

There is a white Fuzion also waiting to be opened. *crossing fingers*

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