Why should you care? There’s a race to the bottom going on these days with Argentine malbec pricing (remember low-end shiraz from Australia?). Tasting cheap malbecs can be a tedious exercise, with too many wines plagued by crude oak, distinctly overripe or underripe flavors, or dry tannins. But smart wine consumers continue to pay a few bucks more for malbecs of real depth and character: concentrated, balanced wines that in terms of sheer flavor impact outperform just about anything else available in their price range. We’ll offer much more coverage of malbec in the coming weeks, but here’s a foretaste.
What does it taste like? Renacer’s Punto Final Reserva Malbec is a stunning value in vintage 2008, displaying musky aromas and flavors of crushed blackberry and licorice complicated by spices and pepper, and a sweet, remarkably deep palate impression. This very young but already lush and pliant wine has more than enough stuffing to support its ripe, building tannins. Italian consulting enologist Alberto Antonini, who works his magic for a number of topnotch Argentine producers, serves as assistant winemaker here.
How much does it cost, and where can you find it? $20; Winebow.
