90 2008 Caro Amancaya (Argentina) 3/11/11 ($18)
50%Malbec, 50%Cabernet Sauvignon 14.5% alc
Color: Very deep black purple garnet. (3.5) Bouquet: Rich cassis and blackberry fruit with some dusty Mendoza terroir, pencil shavings and white chalk. (3.0) Body: Heavyweight with excellent fruit and tannic structure coating the mouth. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with dense fruit. Tannin and tobacco add a little bitterness. (3.0) Finish: Long and rich, but shows more bitterness than the flavor. (2.5)
Overall: Exhibits an interesting combination of juicy, somewhat brawny blackberry Malbec and more elegant Cabernet cassis. If this were a $35 to $40 Cabernet, which is its quality level, I might complain about the brawny component, but for $18 it's an outstanding value with aging potential. For now drinking decant (2 hrs) or age for 3-5 years. (15.5)
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