Malbec Familia Mayol 2007

Sweet tannins blend with oak to provide lots of complexity and a velvety texture on this tasty gem from Mendoza, Argentina. Excellent with grilled meats...even burgers!

March 2009

I'm just not feeling the love on this wine. Its not that its that bad, it just doesn't live up to other similarly priced Malbecs from Argentina.

It has the lovely appearance as promised by the winemaker of a deep red violet but that's where the label fulfillment stops. I get a lot more alcohol than fruit on the nose, though I did get some hints of berries, earth and pepper, but only after swirly my glass ferociously and frequently.

On the palette the alcohol subdues a bit to allow more earth, dark plums and cherry fruit and pepper to come through. But that classic read more...depth of a good Argentine Malbec just wasn't coming through. Pairing the wine with a piece of aged beef prepared rare on the grill brought much more flavor alive with some sweet spices of cinnamon and nutmeg being added to deeper earth covered dark fruit. So for that I gave it an extra 1/2 glass.

I really think the problem here is just too much alcohol for the fruit. The longer the wine sits in the glass, and some of that alcohol evaporates, the more fruit and flavor starts to come through.

If some one else has had a better experience (not a retailer trying to sell this to me please) I would like to hear about it. Other wines from the producer are a better bet.    (hide)

July 2009