I bought this Francis Coppola Celestial Blue Label Malbec 2005 as a gift for Tom for Christmas (along with a variety of other South American wines). Although this is a grape that is known for its Argentinian roots, Francis Coppola has found a way to grow these grapes in California. I have been keeping all of these wines downstairs in our “secondary” wine rack and I decided it was time to bring a bottle up tonight.
This is a fabulous wine and I can’t help think of our son Tony, who spent 99 days in South American (including Argentina) last summer between his junior and senior years of college. He would love this wine. He has his mother’s taste in bold and assertive red wines.
The nose is ripe with plums and minerals — the minerals remind me of our well water in tin glasses that I had a girl growing up in northern Michigan. The color is velvety violet — it has almost a creamy texture in the glass. The taste is acidic with black fruit and tannins.
I am serving this wine tonight with hamburgers on the grill with a side dish of penne pasta tossed with fresh sauteed broccoli in olive oil. We are so excited to have spring weather and I can’t resist a grilled burger to celebrate!
Tom: This Francis Coppola Celestial Blue Label Malbec 2005 is delicious: chocolaty, with a fruit taste of blackberries and a bit of cherries. Mild-medium tannins. Excellent. Who knew Malbec could do so well in California?
April 21, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Hi guys!
I read that little tid-bit about Coppola and the variety of South American wines you guys have gotten into, and I just thought I’d let you in on a little Coppola/Argentina/wine story.
My apologies if Tony already told you this, but Tony and I went to a dinner/wine party at a beautiful city home in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires when we were visiting my sister. A co-worker of my sister’s was renting the house for a week or so, and who do you think rented the home just before he did? Yep, Francis Ford Coppola himself.
You guys are great! Enjoy the wine!
April 21, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Are you kidding? Wow, George, that is a story we had not heard. Wow! What a very cool story!
I am having the last of the Malbec tonight and it is so delicious. That Francis can sure crush a grape!
Can’t wait to see you on Sunday, George, when you walk across the stage to accept your DIPLOMA!!