Tom and Melody's wine blog » Malbec

Sterling Vintner’s Collection Meritage (2007)

Tom & Melody — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:31:44 +0000

We are enjoying a lovely, July evening. Strangely, the sun is shining brightly, but it is raining. We are very happy to have the rain because we needed it badly. But it is odd to have the rain while the sky is seemingly clear.

Nonetheless, here we are enjoying the soft rain, windows open with a gentle breeze. I took advantage of the cooler evening to put a chicken casserole in the oven (a basic chicken and rice combo).

While completing our weekly “Wall Street Journal” crossword puzzle, we are enjoying this Sonoma, California blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The nose is subtle and takes awhile to reveal itself but with some decanting it offers chocolate and blackberries. The taste is a deliciously complex mix of fruit, spice, flowers and chocolate. Very yummy. This wine was $13.99 but on sale for 9.99, which is an excellent value. Had I paid the full price, I would have been satisfied but at this price it is a real find.

Cupcake Vineyards Malbec (2008)

Tom & Melody — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:13:57 +0000

Another lovely June evening in Michigan. Tonight is windy and cloudy but so nice for sitting on the patio and feeling the breeze and listening to the birds. We are having a glass of this Argentine Malbec from the Mendoza region. What an interesting wine. I find this to be mellower than what I would expect in a Malbec. I am finding it difficult to find the right words to describe this wine but here is my best shot: The nose is smoked meat — bologna, I think. The taste is robust and predominantly berries. The finish is vanilla.I am enjoying it. This is one reason I enjoy wine; every wine has the potential for many different tastes, smells and textures. I love the challenge of identifying these sensory experiences with descriptive words.

Alamos Malbec (2009)

Tom & Melody — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:44:10 +0000

This is midweek of my vacation. It is so nice to be home and just doing whatever I want to do! Today, I went into downtown Ann Arbor for a haircut. Our sons met me and we had lunch at an Indian restaurant and then I meandered on home, stopping at a nursery on the way home to pick up some climbing vines for our pergola.

I was in the process of rubbing two pork chops with a spicy rub when Tony stopped by and said that he and Tommy would be coming for dinner after they played a round of basketball. So, I put the pork chops away and got out some chicken that I also had in the refrigerator (I only had two pork chops; not enough to feed all four of us). I quickly changed gears and prepared the chicken. I also scrubbed potatoes to bake alongside the chicken. I whipped up some biscuits, I scrubbed and sliced carrots for sauteing, and I peeled about 9 apples for an apple crisp. Now, everything is baking in the oven and Tom & I are having a cocktail while we wait for the boys to arrive. I thought this Argentine Malbec would be a good choice for our chicken dinner. This wine is abundant with blackberries, leather and pepper on the nose. The taste is lush with plums and pepper and smooth tannins. I like this very much. Also, this is a good one to let breathe a bit because the more I swirl the better it gets.

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Ku De Ta Malbec Argentina (2008)

Tom & Melody — Wed, 12 May 2010 23:14:50 +0000

Tom chose this wine and poured me a glass tonight. I was trapped in my chair because Trigger is cuddling with me. I just couldn’t get up! So, it is Wednesday night and we both had active and busy work days so our cocktail hour is particularly welcome tonight. This was a meeting-heavy day for me — and it was trying — so I was eager to come home to my cozy refuge. I threw together a weird dinner and I hope it tastes good. Here’s what I did. I had three pieces of leftover meatloaf, so I chopped it up along with some onions and browned it in a hot cast-iron skillet. Then, to the meatloaf and onions I added tomatoes, broth, spices and some penne pasta. It is covered now and simmering. I also have some fresh spinach from the food co-op that I will saute. And, if I have the energy I will make a salad but no guarantees on that.

So, I don’t know how good dinner will be but the wine leading up to it is fantastic! This wine is from the home of the Malbec grape, Mendoza, Argentina, which is near the base of the Andes mountains. I don’t know what it is about the Mendoza region, but they produce great wines. The flavor is robust with lots of fruit. It has a great mouthfeel with structured tannins. I like this very much. A winner!

Maipe Malbec (2009)

Tom & Melody — Sat, 08 May 2010 23:29:14 +0000

I bought this Argentine Malbec from a wine shop off of Zeeb Road in Ann Arbor on the recommendation of the owner. It’s reddish purple in the glass with an earthy nose. Lots of fruit on the palate — black cherry and blackberry. Round tannins. There is only one thing that I don’t like about this wine and that is the label! I like everything else. This is a good value at $10 a bottle.

We are having a blustery weekend. The west side of the state may be getting snow. We have frost warnings over on this side. We knew it had to happen; we’ve had such beautiful spring weather. So, it’s cold and the wind is howling, but we are warm and cozy inside.

Cupcake Malbec (2008)

Tom & Melody — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 23:29:20 +0000

It’s Saturday evening and we are enjoying this Argentine Malbec that I bought this week at The Plum Market in Ann Arbor. I also picked up some ground beef at the meat counter and I have made some super burgers (with spices, steak sauce and green onions) which we are having tonight along with a salad.

The first thing both Tom & I noticed about this wine is the nose: Beefy. Tom is oohing and ahhing over this one. This is our kind of wine. Big. With dark chocolate and coffee notes along with sumptuous ripe fruit. Thank you, Plum Market for putting this one on sale! I am going to get more. . .

Happy news! I heard from our youngest, Tony, today, who is still in Ecuador but will returning to “Murica” on April 30. He will be making his way back to Michigan sometime in late May. We can’t wait! We will celebrate his return, for sure.

Cristobal 1492 Malbec

Tom & Melody — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:58:33 +0000

It’s been a long stretch of non-blogging due to a few extra-busy weeks, but here we are, back at it. It is Sunday night. We have already had our dinner of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, steamed cauliflower and salad. I also made an apple-oatmeal-spice cake, which is cooling as I write this. Dinner was scrumptious and so is this wine. I purchased this on Friday (on my way home from work) at Plum’s Market. It was on sale for $7.99 (regularly $10). Nothing not to like about this one. . .medium-bodied and spicy, structured tannins with a dense finish. Definitely makes me think of our son, Tony, who is still in South America. I know he would enjoy this wine from Mendoza.

Trapiche Malbec (2008)

Tom & Melody — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:05:17 +0000

It is Friday night and we are both a little on the “sapped” side from a long and demanding work week. It is 8 degrees outside and we are staying in and keeping warm and cozy tonight. I have a kettle of bean soup reheating on the stove. We’ll have the soup along with some bread and cheese for our supper.

I purchased this Trapiche Malbec 2008 from Mendoza, Argentina wine at our favorite wine shop (A & L Wine Castle) in Ann Arbor. It was on sale for $6.79. This is a good value because the wine is excellent. The nose is plummy with a touch of licorice. The taste has big mouth-filling fruit with vanilla; the tannins are understated and mellow.

This wine makes me think of our son, Tony, who is in South America. He also enjoys a good Malbec and has had the opportunity to enjoy Argentina’s wines while traveling through that area. (Cheers, Tony!)

Tom: This is a great wine. Tannic, big fruit taste, grapy but not fruit-bomby. Makes me think of steak on the grill; will have to remember this for next summer.

Sterling Vintner’s Collection Meritage (2007)

Tom & Melody — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:43:31 +0000

It’s Monday night and very dark. . .we have our Christmas tree lights on and the house is cozy. Trigger is snuggling with me and we are reading the newspaper. Tom poured me a glass of this California blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The nose is a rich black cherry and a bouquet of roses. The taste is delicious. . .chocolate, raspberries and pepper. The tannins are just right: Firm but mellowing as the wine breathes.

For dinner, I prepared a casserole. . .but I wrapped it in foil and put it in the refrigerator for another night (I have a busy week ahead). For tonight. we are going to have leftover steak & broccoli stir fry with brown rice and the most delicious cole slaw. (Although this cole slaw recipe is very simple, it is the best I have ever had.) Want the rec ipe? Just let me know!

I am enjoying this glass of wine very much. I would not hesitate to buy this again (it was on sale for $8.99).

Francis Coppola Malbec (2005)

Tom & Melody — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:13:57 +0000

Tom poured me a glass of this California Malbec. I bought this for Tom and paid $20 for the bottle so was expecting something quite good. Instead, I find the nose to be musty, which is a turn off for me. I am patiently swirling and sipping and hoping that as the wine breathes, the mustiness will subside. Getting past the nose (which smells like a closet filled with damp, dirty clothes). . .the taste is pretty good but, for me, the nose is such a big part of my enjoyment. I am having a difficult time getting past it.

For dinner, I am baking yams (which I received from the food co-op) along with chicken. I also have an apple cobbler baking (again, I had some extra apples from the co-op). I am going to serve this with the leftover stuffing and cranberry sauce and maybe we’ll even finally finish the pumpkin pie!