Tom and I are going to carbo-load tonight because we are running in the Dexter-Ann Arbor Half Marathon tomorrow. We have picked up our race numbers, our timing chips, and t-shirts. Our training is behind us; now all we have to do is enjoy a big meal! Tonight, we chose a lovely, incredibly drinkable wine! The color of this Barrio La Boca Malbec is medium purple and the nose is fresh and lively, more spice than fruit. The taste is surprisingly smooth and delightful; plums and cherries and vanilla. Exceptional value and a wonderful find! We are enjoying our South American wines as we keep track of our son Tony and his friend, George, on their summer-long hike throughout the continent.
We picked up this excellent Barrio La Boca malbec at Trader Joe’s in Ann Arbor at way, way under $10. (It is distributed by Classic Wines of California, which is the distributing company of Bronco Wine Company, which is the wine company that produces Charles Shaw wines, also known as Two Buck Chuck.) Regardless of this wine’s less-than-aristocratic breeding, it is excellent. It is dry and tannic, with tastes of cherry and black cherry with hints of vanilla. A great wine.
George and Tony will spend a week or so in Peru before moving on to Argentina. We’re sure they’ll get to try some malbec of this quality when they get there.
June 3, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Hi, Melody and Tom…How was the half marathon? I am not sure where to post this comment but wanted to let you know that I made a terrific Coq au Vin tonight. The recipe called for a burgundy wine but I substituted the Familia Cara Chianti Riserva that you recommended previously. It was a great choice…some for the dish with some for the chef to sample. Delicious! VickiV
June 3, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Hi Vicki, the half marathon was great! It is such a beautiful course, even if it did rain most of the way. We are now having a well-deserved cocktail hour. After a lovely martini, Tom finished the Barrio La Boca Malbec and I am finishing the McMannis Cab. What a great reward after running 13.1 in the rain! I would like to see your Coq au Vin recipe. May I?
June 3, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Absolutely! I am putting together a small package for you and will include that. It was drizzly here today so this dish hit the spot. V
June 4, 2007 at 6:38 am
I am so excited! Thank you, Vicki!
June 7, 2007 at 8:41 am
Hey Tom and Melody, I tried this wine last night and absolutely loved it! I had it was a little bit of hummus and pita. My friend and I are both really interested in going to a wine tasting. If you hear of anything let me know!
July 24, 2007 at 8:41 pm
[...] region of Argentina from Trader Joe’s in Ann Arbor. We had tried Barrio La Boca Malbec several times but this is our first Cabernet Sauvignon from this [...]