Tasting: Finca Flichman 2008 Malbec

I know it has been sometime since I posted, but that doesn't mean I've given up eating and sample fine wine. I have a backlog of tasting notes but let's get started with some I'm drinking right now.

This afternoon I stopped by Vinomania, a local wine shop that I had previously not had the pleasure of visiting. On their recommendation I picked up a 2008 Malbec from Finca Flichman. As promised this is a lighter Malbec without as much "chewiness" as I usually associate with Malbec. In this case, this is exactly what I was after.

This wine pours an inviting purple-cherry hue with a lovely nose. The Malbec (100%) is oak aged for 3 months and you can detect a subtle oak tone. Not overpowering in the least. The wine has a smooth finish with traces of spice and some lingering tannins.

Don't expect a knock-out, big, bold Malbec. But if you are looking for something very reasonably priced and pleasant to drink, pick up a bottle or two. I think this will be a nice wine to drink this summer for those of us who prefer reds year round.

Tasting Notes: Llama 2006 Malbec Old Vine

On a recent trip to a neighborhood wine shop, I decided to find some bottles under $20 and also from producers outside my comfort zone. I don't believe you have to spend $30, $50 or more for a decent bottle of wine. Drink what you like, and if it doesn't cost much, so much the better.

Tonight my wife opened up one of the bottles I brought home. A 2006 malbec from the Belasco De Baquedano Winery under their Llama label. This is an Argentinian winery with 100 year old vines. As soon as I took the first sip, I recognized the old vine richness immediately. The wine has an inviting deep purple that reminds me of a claret. The wine is aged for 6 months in new French oak and then another 6 months in the bottle and you can get a hint of oakiness in the finish. I find notes of berry and spice with lingering tannic finish. Actually the finish invokes an earthiness in my mind. Maybe that's the old vine talking.

The bottle I picked up was around $14, which isn't bad considering how far the wine had to travel to reach my neighborhood shop. Sipping it puts me in the mood to serve it with rack of lamb. This is a wine you could easily drink now and certainly for another few years. I may have to grab a few more bottles to cellar to see if I'm right.

I've not tasted a lot of malbecs so I don't have much to compare. This doesn't knock your socks off but it is has great flavor for the price point and definitely encourages me to sample more malbec.

I'd love to hear your malbec experiences and recommendations.