Napa Malbec?

2010 James Cole Winery (Stags Leap District) Malbec.

Inky black color. BUT: Surprisingly lithe, with a high tone and plenty of palate cleansing acid. Dark berry fruit...maybe a touch of blueberry???? Oak not dominant at all...this is all about the acid. Juicy. Went very well with beef ribs, actually! Way too expensive to buy a lot of, but I have always been impressed with this winery's Malbecs!

What did they charge you for this, Brian?

[Jenise]

Interesting; don't think I've ever had a California malbec. Lots is being grown up here, but most don't compete with the Argentines for either quality or value, so I wonder why they bother. But they do.

What did they charge you for this, Brian?

I'm too embarrassed to admit what I paid for this, Tom. New winery property, fancy stone building, prime Stags Leap location. You pay for the real estate and architecture and very slick (although somewhat "odd" affect) staff!)

My...."financial management" life skills are pretty much "failure".

High End Napa Cab pricing, basically ($50++). But the thing is...I really liked this wine, and I don't like very many Argentinean malbecs, to be honest.

[David M. Bueker]

Lagier Meredith makes a Malbec. It is very good, but not inexpensive. They also do a version under the Chester's Anvil line up that is a partnership with Pott wines. Also good. Also not cheap.

[Jenise]

But the thing is...I really liked this wine, and I don't like very many Argentinean malbecs, to be honest.

Me neither, especially at under $15 level. But I have had a few head-turners in the $20+ range.

But the thing is...I really liked this wine, and I don't like very many Argentinean malbecs, to be honest.

Me neither, especially at under $15 level. But I have had a few head-turners in the $20+ range.

They often taste goopy, and there is too often that slick texture that says "oak chips" to me.
This wine had nice "cut", and I am seriously pro-acid, so.... Second vintage I have tried, so they know what they are doing with Malbec.

I do like Achval Ferrar, but those wines can be as expensive (or MORE) than the Napa one!

Interesting; don't think I've ever had a California malbec. Lots is being grown up here, but most don't compete with the Argentines for either quality or value, so I wonder why they bother. But they do.

The L-M and the Chester'sAnvil Malbecs are priced around $40. Which I think is pretty reasonable given Napa Cabernet pricing. Especially given that they're
some of the best Malbecs I've ever had.
I've had the Reustle/UmpquaVlly Malbec that I was pretty impressed with.

As for Argentine Malbecs, I've yet to have one that really impressed. The sub-$20 ones have that coarse/earthy/sour character I associate
w/ SA reds. The high-end ones tend to have way too much oak. Not a genre I can bring myself to love. But I keep trying.
Tom

I'm too embarrassed to admit what I paid for this, Tom...High End Napa Cab pricing, basically ($50++). But the thing is...I really liked this wine, and I don't like very many Argentinean malbecs, to be honest.

Lol. No one should ever feel bad about indulging in a hobby, or need to justify the expenses therein (assuming the spouse doesn't find out ) If you got it, go for it! Wallow, baby!

Oh, and like you - and I've never admitted this before, because around here it's like saying you're really a Franzia drinker - I've never had an Argentinean malbec I've enjoyed. Ever. There, I've said it.

Gosh...I feel so much lighter now!

Oh, and like you - and I've never admitted this before, because around here it's like saying you're really a Franzia drinker - I've never had an Argentinean malbec I've enjoyed. Ever. There, I've said it.

Gosh...I feel so much lighter now!

I don't know...I don't think Argentinean Malbec gets a lot of good reviews around here.

[David M. Bueker]

On my trip to Argentina in 2010 I enjoyed a number of Malbecs. The ones I drank there were not as rich/high octane as the ones I have had here in the USA.

[Jenise]

As for Argentine Malbecs, I've yet to have one that really impressed. The sub-$20 ones have that coarse/earthy/sour character I associate
w/ SA reds. The high-end ones tend to have way too much oak. Not a genre I can bring myself to love. But I keep trying.
Tom

My opinion was like yours for many years, and the wines I had to sample and choose from to do neighborhood tastings when people asked for Argentinian malbecs only solidified my stance. But more recently, we did a 'shootout' of three WA vs. three Argentines, all well regarded by critics, and it was no contest. The Argentines were way out in front--moderate alcohol, good fruit and structure, not plagued by too much oak--and they averaged $8-12 lower cost though cost didn't figure into my preferences, it was just a bonus. Forced me to change my mind or at least admit that there were better wines there than I had realized, and I didn't think that could happen. I could actually see myself buying some for our cellar (though I never got around to it).