Crios de Susana Balbo Malbec

The 2008 Malbec spent 8 months in first use French oak. Dark ruby-colored, it offers up an alluring bouquet of Asian spices, cassis, cedar, incense, and black cherry. Medium-bodied, savory, and elegant, this spicy Malbec will also provide pleasure over the next 4 years.

Good deep red. Subdued but pure aromas of berries, smoke and spices. Sweet, ripe and pliant, with a firm edge of acidity giving shape to the flavors of dark berries, tart cherry, pepper and spices.

Tangy and minerally, the 2008 Crios Malbec showed bright aromas and flavors of sweet blueberry and blackberry; modest notes of vanilla and spice illustrate her judicious use of oak. It’s straightforward, with a juicy finish and fairly plush tannins. I gave it 88 points, non-blind. It’s great with a steak, but also enjoyable on its own and would make a great party wine.

A touch tight, but with a good medium-weight, juicy core of crushed plum, macerated currant and blackberry fruit. A nice twinge of licorice keeps this honest on the finish. Drink now.

Bright cherry flavors emerge in this lively and refreshing rosé for grilled scallops.