2010 Cigar Box Reserve , Bodega No

Mendoza, Argentina

Color: Red
Name: Cigar Box Reserve
Vineyard: Bodega No
Type: Malbec
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $17.00
Rating: 5.0
Review: I have come to really enjoy a good Malbec in the last year. I have been fortunate to enjoy several pretty good ones, for that matter. So, when Pat Tom suggested that I try the Cigar Box Malbec, it wasn’t a real hard sell. Before we delve into this particular bottle, let me offer a bit of information about the Malbec varietal courtesy of Wiki: As a varietal, Malbec creates a rather inky red (or violet), intense wine, so it is also commonly used in blends, such as with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to create the red French Bordeaux claret blend. The grape is blended with Cabernet Franc and Gamay in some regions such as the Loire Valley. Other wine regions use the grape to produce Bordeaux-style blends. The varietal is sensitive to frost and has a proclivity to shatter or coulure. So, based on that description, you find that Malbec grapes have long been used for blending, but of late I am seeing more and more bottles showcasing the Malbec in the spotlight. This is not at all a bad thing. Let’s move on to the description of this wine. This is one of the better Malbec vintages I have had. This 2009 Malbec is pretty outstanding. The nose is deep, earthy with tones of tobacco and the strength of a dancehall bouncer. It hits your senses and reminds a Malbec lover exactly why they love Malbec. When tasting, I found that the wine carried through some dark fruits, tobacco, herbs, a touch of garlic and oddly enough, a bit of raisin. What a wonderful surprise it was on delivery. Very balanced. The finish on this wine was incredibly smooth with a nice dark tone and flavor that hung around for about 20 seconds. This wine carried all the way through to the end with incredible consistency. Dark garnet violet color. Aromas of waxy apple, blackberry custard pie, and pepper with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tart cranberry, grilled pepper, and mineral accented finish. An excellent wine that will cover a lot of bases. Appearance: dark almost black body with a slight ruby edge around the rim. Aroma: dark berries and dark fruit, light spice, floral, and sweet cedar. Taste: tart red currant, sweet cedar, dark chocolate, mineral earthiness, I don’t notice any violet notes. Mouthfeel: the tart berry and dark chocolate notes give a little bite. Pushing toward the jammy side yet, the flavors are rich. Lasting aftertaste that is thick on the tongue like a good piece of 80% dark chocolate. The typical violet note known to Malbec wines shows up as the wine opens up. The texture also becomes a little fuller.
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The Nillni's Great Wine Tasting Adventure

2010 Cigar Box Reserve , Bodega No