Given the grapes here – Malbec and Argentina’s other reclaimed European grape, Bonarda – I was expecting that this bottling from Mendoza would be something of a fruit bomb. Certainly there’s some fruit here – notably bright Bing cherry – but the acidity is rather screeching and overwhelms the entire experience. All in all the wine tastes young and closed. A dud more than a bomb, it turns out, more than likely because of the recency of its vintage.
I realize that nobody is going to lay down a ~$5 wine they bought at Fresh & Easy. The point is, you shouldn’t have to: the winemaker should do that for you (well, for a red, at any rate). And some do. It will likely cost you a bit more, but in most instances the price is worth the value.
But back to this wine: I’m thinking it may be a good candidate for an "accelerated aging experiment" on the top of my refrigerator.
Score
Drinkability: 3/10
Price: 4/5
Total value: 7/15
Recoleta ia a great wine! I love it. Though at the Fresh and Easy here in Los Angeles it cost only $2.99.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoy it! And that is an enticing price, no doubt. This M/B just didn't do it for me. Perhaps because F&E has some super-value Malbecs I was expecting more.
ReplyDeleteI hope they bring some straight-up Bonardas to their shelves. That grape hasn't "hit" yet (i.e. it's still cheap) and it can make some fun fruitbomb reds.
Actually, we poured 3 bottles last night for a diverse crowd, who all loved it! We found it to be full-bodied with nicely balanced fruit and acid, and soft tannins. Very drinkable right now. And paid $2.99 per bottle at Fresh and Easy in Burbank. More than comparable to the La Boca Malbec that we would have gotten at Trader Joe's for the same price.
ReplyDeleteGoddess - I will revisit!\ I wonder how long you let it open. I tend to keep that pretty short, approximating how most folks drink wine.
ReplyDeleteI got this wine and I agree with Jim... the acidity is over-bearing. Honestly, I cannot even taste the fruit. It's a regular cooking wine at best.
ReplyDeleteWe served this last night with Nepalese food and it was awesome! Opened the bottle 2 hours before we tried it. It was better than the Rockcliffe Family Syrah and the MacMurray Pinot!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'll have to re-taste. I am a little hesitant, though, because I can still remember that searing acidity so vividly ...
ReplyDeleteu r reviewing a wine that costs $3 plus tax...what do u expect????
ReplyDeleteit is great for what it is, dont lie
Well, I expect - at least hope for - a wine that isn't so unpleasant. Fresh & Easy offers several ~$5 wines that are much better than this one (IMO).
ReplyDeleteJust my take on the wine. I'm glad that you find it to be a good value!
who the heck drinks $3 wine?
ReplyDeleteOpened this wine last night with a friend. A nice dinner wine, spice and berry notes. I decanted it after letting it chill for 15 minutes. Will be one of my 'house wines'
ReplyDeleteThis is our everyday dinner wine. We love it with steak. Friends like it as well.
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