The reserve version of this popular Malbec comes in at a whopping $17.

Fruity, elegant nose, noticeable vanilla, blackberry compote, lots of dark sweet fruit, meat, baby fat, seems Syrah-like. Gets more & more gamy as it opens up.

Impressive. 89 pts.

VS,

I had this a while back with a similar impression and initially thought it was an 86 point wine. Trying it the next day it was much better, maybe 88 points and by the 48 hour mark, I thought it was a 90 point wine. Seems strange but this wine is much, much better with some serious air time. Should be interesting to see how this will taste in another 3-5 years as it might just need much more time in the bottle.

I got a couple bottles from Costco for $13. A friend of mine told me about it, but he didn't warn me about the air time.

I'll try one of them this summer...with lots of decanting time.

Thanks for the advice.

Mike

I think this is maybe the best QPR Malbec out. If you like it, maybe you should try the '02 Privada. It's a very tasty 40% Malbec, 30% Cab Sauv, 30% Merlot blend. +/-$15 in Chicagoland.

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AS TAKEN FROM THE NOV.15, 2004 WS:

Score: 91 Privada Mendoza 2002
This offers a beautiful wave of pure raspberry and blackberry fruit that rides a full-bodied, muscular texture. Long and sweet, the fruit just glides along. Impressive for its concentration, but could use a little finesse, so cellar. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2005 through 2010. (JM)

Score: 90 Malbec Mendoza Reserve 2002
Bright red fruit--raspberry and red currant--with floral and mineral notes as well. Nice creamy texture with a racy mineral underpinning as well. Still a touch tight for now, so cellar short-term. Best from 2005 through 2008. (JM)

Francis S is right about the Privada. I've had this and it's excellent. I was able to find it here for $12.99 and it is better than the Malbec Reserve. I thought I posted notes on the Privada but I guess I didn't so I'll have to open another bottle and post. What I remember was that it was very well balanced, complex and about a 92 point wine. Definitely the best wine for the best price that I've had in a while!

Just tried this wine. After letting it air out for 5 hours in the bottle, had a very profound coffee smell and taste to it. A nice drink.

Not really notes, just recollections from X-mas dinner...

Decanted 1 hour... based on JM's rec on a previous thread. Notes of plum, meat and vanilla. It has this "sweet fruity beaujolais thing" going on that I'm not a huge fan of... kinda' like plum, but different. Not bad, but I'm not a fan of Malbec. 86-88 points.