El Esteco, Don David Reserve Malbec, Calchaqui Valley

Further to Nov. 13, '24: this is #2. Consistent notes--pleasant, everyday with good fruit on the lighter side.

Bought 5b for CAD 13/b (less 5% case discount + 15% tax) 2.5 years ago from one of a group of suburban stores; this is #2. Screwcap. No sediment. Dark purple; ripe red fruit nose, some oak that follow on the palate, mature fruit body, good mouthfeel. Almost delicious, also more developed than bottle #1 two years ago: another example of an everyday wine that needs time before showing its best. Took as a dinner BYO to a local beachfront …

Beautiful purple in the glass, nose of blackberry with garrigue of mint, faint herbaceous scent. Tastes of dark fruit, with lingering luscious cherry. As each glass opens up I get a scent of fermented yak butter that does not follow through on the palate, smooth tannins and a medium long finish. Drink this now people.

In the last couple bottles I’ve noticed an attenuation of the overt fruitiness. It is aging very quickly in my imperfect cellar. Still an interesting and satisfying wine but no longer a “fresh” Malbec. Structure, spiciness and secondary flavours are now the focus.

Very easy to drink! Smooth and fruity, with cherries and plums, a hint of spice and a good red berry finish.

Deep purple color. Stewed fruit, plum, blueberry and hints of cherry. Wonderful smooth mouth feel, medium body. Tiniest bit of spice in the medium length finish.

A change of pace from the order of wines tasted. I get plum skin slightly sweet with licorice and spice backfilling the flavor by mid palette. The wine is more savory then delicate.

Young and fresh Malbec, paired with Argentinian striploin. Nothing to complain. Nose: wet cellar floor, red cherry, dried cherry, red forrest berries, tobacco Palate: sour cherry, dark cherry, red berries, lingon berry Medium acidity, medium+ tannins, medium lenght.

Screw cap. The medium-high to highly aromatic nose is fresh and intense with spice and stony mineral aromas surrounding notes of dark berry, blackberry, tobacco, and dark chocolate with flecks of violet. The medium-full bodied palate has very good structure with dry, savoury flavours of chocolate, spice, tobacco, plus dark berry and blackberry notes. On the salty mid-palate it has fresh, juicy acidity, while the tannins are smooth and well-rounded. Savoury chocolate and earthy notes on the fresh finish, with …