2001 Tikal Malbec Amorio - Argentina, Mendoza (10/4/2005)
This was opened at Haggis' house last weekend. Not sure who brought it. This is the second vintage of this wine I have have and the quality has been very consistent. I gave the 2000 Amorio 90 points. This wine was medium to full bodied. A broad shouldered wine but not over the top. Notes of plump red berries, cherries and cocoa. Round finish with a hint of bitterness. 89-90 points.

VM

VM;
About a year and a half ago, IW and I had a '01 along side the '00 and found it quite a bit richer, though neither was a slouch. Just last month, I revisited the '00 and found it much more complex than any previous bottle I'd had to that point. Both vintages very consistent, and very good, 90-92 pts. IMHO.

I believe it was AllRed who brought this. I've been on the hunt for that holy grail of a drinkable malbec; one that does not remind me of balsamic vinegar (maybe that "bitterness" that VM mentions) or that is so thin and uni-dimensional. For the most part, I find malbec to be a perfect blending grape, but not one suited to (for my palette) varietal wines.

However, this Tikal is better than most, although it seems the use of oak is to add that missing dimension rather than supplement an already complex wine. So, I have mixed feelings...this is a malbec that had some considerable merits (VM's notes are right on), but some demerits too, that just go with the malbec grape. HI=88

I like the Tikal, I have 2x '00.
Also, have you guys tried the Luca Malbec? I tried the 99 on release and it was quite good. I actually have 2x '99 and 2x '00.
I just don't know when the hell I'm gonna drink them

I thought the 2000 was a 90 point wine but the 2001 and 2002 I would rate a bit lower at 88 points. The Amorio is always a very good wine but for a few dollars less you can pick up the Patriota which is a Malbec/Bonarda blend and I actually like it better. If you're looking for this it was called 'Corazon' prior to the 2002 vintage but then they changed the name to Patriota. If you're like haggis and just can't seem to find a Malbec to suit you this will probably be more to your liking because it is blended with Bonarda and has a different flavor profile.

ArieS,

I would drink the 2000 Luca anytime now or in the next 2 years. The 1999 I would drink 1-3 years from now. The '99 vintage made wines with more tannic structure, so I would start on the '00 vintage first.

Hey Emilio,
Thank you for the advise!
I also agree with you on the Corazon/Patriota. I still have a few of those that I need to start drinking. Great wine for the bucks. I started buying it with the 1999 vintage. Of course the price went up since then

Anyway, to quote drab: "So much wine, so little time!!"

ArieS,

If you have any of the Corazon, drink them up. They might last a while longer but will probably start declining at this point. If you have any of the Patriota, which would be the '02 or '03 vintage they are also drinking great right now. These are wines that seem to hold their own for a few years but really don't improve much, if any, with bottle age.

I know what you mean about the price, I can't find the Patriota for much less than $30.00 anymore, but still a better QPR than the Amorio, which is about $40.00 now.

I second Emilio's recommendation of the Patriota. A very fine, food friendly wine.

Rothko,

It's even great with pizza isn't it?

Indeed.