Benmarco Expresivo 2005

Varietal Composition: 55% Malbec, 15% Bonarda, 10 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah Wafting aromas of red currants, black cherries and mildly smoky and sweet vanilla oak. Layers of currant fruit, dense black cherry, and notes of brown spice (cocoa, nutmeg), dark chocolate, and hints of sandalwood. Keeps showing its stuff as it breathes in the glass-for folks who want the full experience and may be a bit impatient, decanting is a good idea. Perfect balance, great concentration and length, and loaded with fine, ripe tannins for having with food or for aging. Pairs well with a wide range read more...of foods including grilled steak, roasted pork loin, veal, medium-strong cheeses, and most cream sauces. This wine should also age beautifully for 10-25 years.    (hide)

The Wine Advocate rating: 90

November 2008

International Wine Cellar rating: 91

Wine Spectator rating: 92

Varietal Composition: 55% Malbec, 15% Bonarda, 10 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah Wafting aromas of red currants, black cherries and mildly smoky and sweet vanilla oak. Intriquing notes of brown spice (cocoa, nutmeg), dark chocolate, and hints of sandalwood. Keeps showing its stuff as it breathes in the glass so decanting is a good idea. Perfect balance, great concentration and length, and loaded with fine, ripe tannins. Pairs well with a wide range of foods including grilled steak, roasted pork loin, veal, medium-strong cheeses, and most cream sauces. This wine should also age read more...beautifully for 10-25 years. 91 Points Good deep red with ruby highlights. Aromas of currant, smoke, musky tobacco and nutty oak. Sweet, lush and fine-grained; this is quite suave and complex, with its creaminess given shape by ripe acidity. The lovely lingering finish shows real life and lift, and the tannins are sweet. Should develop nicely with a few more years in a bottle. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 90 Points The 2005 Expresivo is composed of 55% Malbec, 15% Bonarda, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 10% Syrah aged for 14 months in 50% new French and 50% 1 year American oak. A saturated purple, it has a perfume of cedar, spice box, blueberry, and black cherry. On the palate it is medium-bodied, graceful, and complex with plenty of spicy fruit, soft tannin, good balance, and excellent length. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate    (hide)

October 2008

No written review

July 2009