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Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/458161
www.cheersonline.com 40 • January/February 2015 (91) Delatour Malbec 2012 (France). Flavor profi le of ripe plums, dark cherry fruit and framed with layers of tobacco, coffee and toasty oak. Great with veal, pork and chicken in brown sauces. ($9) (91) Catena Malbec 2012 (Argentina). This malbec is rich and silky, with bold, dark fruit. The fi nish has a hint of leather and dark chocolate with a long, lingering fi nish. This wine defi nitely highlights the varietal beauty of malbec. ($23) (91) Antucura Malbec 2012 (Argentina). A deft French touch on this Argentinean classic. Extended maceration in stainless steel and minimal oak aging (three months), produce a rich, elegant wine with beautiful color enhanced with fruit fl avors of plums, blackberries, and bright cherries. Very balanced tannins, hints of spice, and a smooth fi nish. ($31) (91) Mapema Malbec 2011 (Argentina). The "Ma" comes from Mariano di Paola, the "pe" comes from the people at the winery, and the "ma" is the magic they create as a team. A 100% high-altitude malbec, aged 12 months in oak. Cherry notes balanced with a hint of peppery spice. Perfect for grilled meats. ($30) (91) Fabre Montmayou Malbec 2012 (Argentina). All estate-grown fruit from 50-year-old vines in the Cuyo regions produces complex, full-bodied fl avors. Light oak aging lets the rich, chewy, fruit shine through. ($28) (90) Alamos Malbec 2013. A smooth, easy introduction into malbec. Up-front fruit of dark plum and raspberry. Easy tannins on the fi nish. ($10) (90) Santa Julia Malbec Reserva 2013 (Argentina). The malbec reserva is a slight step up, which adds 10 months of French oak. Complex and toasty, raspberry and cherry fl avors mix with lightly herbal tones on the nose. Full-bodied and slightly tannic, the fl avors hold up well to a variety of grilled meats. ($15) (90) Flichman Lambec Roble (Argentina). A rich and expansive profi le that coats the palate; savory aromas and fl avors of red fruit, oak, vanilla, and spice. A wine that's sure to please those who like a ripe yet elegant malbec. ($11) (90) FLM Malbec Coleccion (Argentina). Round and plush; juicy fl avors of plums and blackberries with a touch of coffee; fi nishes smooth with oak and fl oral notes. ($12) (90) Kiwi Cuvee Malbec (France). Wonderfully fragrant and hearty on the pal- ate, the wine possesses aromas and fl avors of cherries, baking spices, and minerals. A crisp profi le and fi nish makes this malbec an excellent food-pairing wine. ($11) (90) Luc Pirlet Malbec (France). Aromas of red fruit and bramble; the palate mimics the nose with additional hints of blueberry and spice. A friendly, approachable malbec with plenty of character. ($12) (90) Tamari Reserve Malbec 2013. (Argentina). The wine is 100% malbec. Floral notes in the nose followed by fl avors of black cherries, plums and a hint of chocolate. Try it with veal piccata. ($13) (90) Dona Paula Estate Malbec 2012 (Argentina). A rich yet pretty malbec, offering a more-controlled style of this big grape. This wine doesn't offer any one over-the-top fl avor, but rather a smooth and subtle unraveling of fl avors from start to fi nish. ($16) (89) Colores del Sol 2012. Bright, medium body with inviting aromatics of fresh berries and cassis. A nice everyday sipper. ($8) (89) Catena Malbec 2012 (Argentina). Deep purple in color. Aroma of dark fruit. Plum and dark cherry fl avors. Firm tannins with a long fi nish. ($20) (89) Tierra del Sol Malbec 2012 Single Vineyard, La Rioja (Argentina). Blackberry and plum fi ll the bouquet, lightly framed with mild oak. Medium bodied and smooth, it possesses juicy blackberry and black cherry fl avors. Soft tannins keep the wine inviting, and it has the structure and grip to easily handle grilled meats and vegetables. ($12) (89) La Rousse Malbec 2013 (France). Cot is the French synonym for malbec. More robust and acidic than its South American cousins, it offers more hints of tobacco, earth, and coffee than fruit favors. Heavier in style with rich depth and complexity. ($20) (89) Domaine La Berangeraie, Cuvee Maurin, Cahors 2010 (France). Cahors is the traditional home to the malbec grape in southwest France. Two generations of the Berenger family produce this wine on their 12-hectare organic estate. All hand pruned, harvested and sorted. Good tannins, tightly wound. Leave it a little time to open up. Velvet in a glass! ($35) (89) Lyeth L de Lyeth Malbec 2011 (California). Balanced with fl avors of blueberries, plums, vanilla and sweet oak. A satisfying fi nish that allows it to work well with grilled steaks. ($13) (89) Lunta Malbec 2011 (Argentina). Vines with an average age of 80-plus years lend great complexity to this wine. Very youthful on the nose, with intense aromas of cur- rants, plums, raisins, and a hint of licorice. An elevation of 3,300 feet helps produce wines perfect for beef or lamb dishes. ($30) (89) Cafetin 'tos Malbec 2008 (Argentina). This is a nod to the classic coffee bars of Buenos Aires, and the spirit of creativity and independence that typifi es their winemaking art. Young vines, aged 12 months in oak yield a softer, easy drinking malbec. Beautiful