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We love value at Gismondi on Wine but we also know that value comes at all price points.
Because we taste some three thousand wines a year, record notes and keep track of the scores we have an impressive database from which to choose our favourite value wines. We have also developed a new program that allows us to determine which of all the wines reviewed in a single year or category or price range represent superior value. The complex calculation takes into account the score (out of 100) awarded the wine, its retail price, as well as when it was lasted tasted and how long it has been in the market. The resulting e-valuator numerical quotient (EQ), measures and ranks all the wines. We ran through our extrensive Argentine notes just released and came up with the following list of absolute best buys in any market.
1434 EQ (e-valuator quotient)
94 Finca Flichman Parcela 26 2008
Mendoza, Argentina, US $23 srp
A special block of selected clones from a one hectare plot planted in 1998. Very peppery, liquorice, smoky, menthol, black cherry, garrigue, liquorice root, savoury, tobacco, barnyard and leather aromas. Ripe, rich, full, juicy and concentrated with supple grainy tannins. Big black berry jam, peppery, floral, black cherry, vanilla, savoury, mineral flavours with some orange peel and chocolate on the finish. Young and intense, this needs 4-7 years but it's well balanced. (AG-ST)
1134
92 O. Fournier B Crux Red Blend 2007 Tempranillo - Cabernet - Syrah - Malbec
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina, BC $27 estimated retail, AB $28 private wine shops
Spicy, savoury, cherry jam, vanilla, meaty, peppery, chocolate, curry aromas. Rich, concentrated, warm, supple but slightly tannic palate. Chocolate, vanilla, orange, meaty, barnyard, peppery, kirsch, tobacco, celery, olive and herb flavours. A bit too warm on the finish but has great intensity and concentration with the ability to age 4-7 years. Good value. The B Crux blend is 60/10/15/15 tempranillo, malbec, cabernet, syrah. (AG-ST)
1132 EQ
93 Flechas de los Andes Gran Corte 2009 Malbec - Syrah - Cabernet Franc
Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina AB $31 private wine shops
Rich smoky, liquorice, savoury, chocolate, barnyard, black berry, black cherry, floral, vanilla aromas. Dry, full, concentrated, smooth and warm palate with fine grained tannins and good acidity. Sage, tobacco, spicy, peppery, tobacco, orange, black cherry, black berry, cedar, roasted pepper, meaty, coffee, vanilla, and savoury flavours. Good finesse and uniqueness in a big wine with the potential to age 5-10 years. Impressive structure and styling. The mix is 60/20/20 malbec, cabernet franc and syrah. (AG-ST)
1040 EQ
92 Nieto Senetiner Terroir Blend Malbec 2009
Mendoza, Argentina, US $30 estimated retail
A blend of three different soils and climates from Vistalba, Agrelo and Vista Flores to offer different aspects. Very peppery spicy, coffee, barnyard, leather, black cherry, floral mineral, prune, graphite and liquorice aromas with a vanilla streak. Ripe, round, dry and elegant but fresh and juicy. Pepper, graphite, liquorice floral, black cherry, plum, slate, earthy, vanilla and leather flavours. A bit fresh on the finish but good complexity and balance, needs 2-5 years. Very good effort. (AG-ST)
1006 EQ
92 Alta Vista Terroir Selection Malbec 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, AB $31 private wine shops
Very spicy, savoury, peppery, jarilla nose with plum, vanilla, leather aromas. Dry, fresh, full, warm and supple palate but with dry, grainy tannins. Very peppery, spicy, black cherry, orange, chocolate, mineral, liquorice, vanilla, coffee, savoury flavours. Lots of flavours and intensity, solid balance, needs years but a bit too hot at 15% but shows terroir of cooler area with good extraction balance and finesse. Slightly tight tannins. Fine effort and terrific value. (AG-ST)
975 EQ
94 O. Fournier Alpha Crux Malbec 2008
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina US $40
A five day cold maceration previews another 23 days of skin contact. Expect a peppery, savoury, black cherry jam nose with bits of curry, vanilla, sage, garrigue, barnyard, leather, orange rind and Christmas cake aromas. A sturdy but rich red with ripe tannins, fine acidity and excellent intensity. The finish is long and concentrated with good finesse and aromatics. A fine example serious malbec that will improve for another five to ten years in bottle. (AG-ST)
891 EQ
92 Bodega Riglos Gran Malbec 2008
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina, AB $35 private wine shops, ON $35 consignment - Profile Wine Group
Very savoury, spicy, tobacco, roasted mushroom, liquorice, peppery, black cherry aromas. Ripe, round, full, smooth attack with fine concentration and acidity, slightly tannic. Black cherry jam, black plum, vanilla, liquorice, orange peel, peppery, savoury, spicy, cardamom flavours. Long, fine fruit, slightly youthful tannins, good finesse and intensity if warm. Needs another two to three years in bottle to settle down. (AG-ST)
888 EQ
93 Trapiche Malbec Vina Frederica Villafañe 2008
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina BC $45 speculative listing - Philippe Dandurand Wines, ON $34
Smoky, spicy, black cherry jam, barnyard, peppery, savoury, blood orange and plum aromas. Dry, full, juicy, fresh palate with good concentration and balance with ripe, grainy tannins. Leather, peppery, orange, cherry jam, plum, tobacco, liquorice, vanilla, savoury, floral, spicy, meaty flavours. Good finesse and intensity but young with length. (AG-ST)
864 EQ
89 Etchart Torrontés Reserva 2010
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, Argentina, QC $14
Very floral, spicy, ginger, lemon, lychee, honey and butter aromas. Fresh, round, slightly oily and juicy palate. Honey, orange, spicy, ginger, lemon oil, peach skin and butter flavours. Long with good finesse and texture. A fine effort here that would likely be even better under Stelvin. Crazy value. (AG-ST)
840 EQ
87 Vasija Secreta Torrontés Vas 2011
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, Argentina, US $9 SRP
Floral, spicy, light melon, honey, matchstick, slightly earthy aromas. Fresh, soft, juicy palate but bit flat. Lemon, floral, ginger, honey, grapefruit, slight lychee, quince flavours. A touch of bitterness on the finish but solid, elegant style. (AG-ST)
840 EQ
88 O. Fournier Urban Uco Tempranillo 2010
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina, CDN $12 estimated retail
Spaniard Jose Manuel Ortega has a thing for tempranillo as evidence by the spicy, tobacco, cherry jam, meaty, liquorice red. The attack is smooth and juicy with black cherry jam, tobacco, orange, vanilla, spicy flavours. Love the fruit and the supple finish all with good concentration. Good value too. (AG-ST)
840 EQ
88 O. Fournier Urban Uco Malbec-Tempranillo 2010
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina, CDN $12 estimated retail
This is a 50/50 mix of malbec and tempranillo with spicy, gamey, black cherry and dried herbs aromas. Rich, ripe, round and smooth palate with peppery, spicy, blood orange, black cherry, tobacco, gamey flavours. A touch warm but good fruit, balance and intensity. Again, another great value Urban mix. Why aren't these wines big in Canada? (AG-ST)
806 EQ
89 Flechas de los Andes Aquaribay Malbec 2010
Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina, BC $15
Savoury, spicy, peppery, graphite, black plum, cherry, smoky aromas. The attack is dry and fresh with smooth, juicy plum fruit flavours of black pepper, liquorice, savoury, orange peel and tobacco flavours. A fine fresh easy-drinking style that is structured and pure for current drinking. Impressive bottle. (AG-ST)
792 EQ
90 Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Malbec 2009
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, AB $18, MB $19, ON $18
Savoury, peppery, tobacco leaf, black cherry, chocolate, vanilla, floral, spicy, liquorice aromas. Ripe, round, supple juicy palate with some young tannin. Vanilla, chocolate, coffee, black cherry jam, blueberry, tobacco leaf, herb, and savoury flavours. Good fruit and balance for mid-term consumption. (AG-ST)
789 EQ
92 Trapiche Malbec Viña Domingo F. Sarmiento 2009
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina, BC $45 speculative listing - Philippe Dandurand Wines, ON $34
Very peppery, spicy, black cherry jam, liquorice, smoky, floral, coffee, vanilla, barnyard aromas, good complexity. Dry, fresh, smooth, supple palate with fine grained tannins and juicy acidity. Vanilla, chocolate, peppery, cedar, black cherry, black berry, orange peel, jarilla, tobacco, savour flavours. Good finesse and intensity, softer but good extract but somewhat oaky now. Finer style. (AG-ST)
784 EQ
90 Pascual Toso Malbec Reserve Barrancas Vineyards 2009
Maipú, Mendoza, Argentina BC $20 speculative listing - Authentic Wines & Spirits, AB $17 private wine shop
We remain impressed with the Toso Reserve malbec from its dense dark purple colour to its aromatic nose of smoky liquorice, black cherry jam, vanilla and poultry spice. So ripe and rich on entry it entices you with its supple attack and sweet black cherry jam, plum liquorice and savoury, cedar and chocolate finish. A sexy glossy malbec that manages to over deliver without being simply just too rich and alcoholic. (AG-ST)
780 EQ
92 Huarpe Guayquil El Elegido 2006 Malbec - Cabernet Sauvignon - Petit Verdot - Tannat - Bonarda
Mendoza, Argentina AB $40 The Wine Cellar
Peppery, barnyard, boysenberry jam, meaty, black berry, cassis, smoky, savoury, coffee aromas. Ripe, round, smooth and supple palate with ripe tannins. Chocolate, leather, coffee, black berry jam, kirsch, vanilla, liquorice, dried sage, gamey, saddle leather flavours. Very smooth and warm but balanced. Attractive current drinking. The fruit comes of three vineyards in the Mendoza districts of Barrancas/ Maipú, Agrelo/Luján de Cuyo and San José/Tupungato at 780 and 1,200 meters altitude. (AG-ST)
770 EQ
93 Diamandes de Uco Gran Reserva 2007 Malbec - Cabernet Sauvignon
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina BC $51 Everything Wine, MB $42.60, NF $43
Big plum jam, black cherry, celery salt, liquorice, vanilla, orange peel, tobacco, smoky, floral, leather and barnyard aromas. Ripe, round, full and warm with juicy acidity and lots of concentration. Chocolate, vanilla, peppery, savoury, leather, tobacco, smoky, prune, black cherry and orange peel flavours. Drinkable now but could use 2-4 years more. A bit fatter compared to the upcoming 2008 but first class. (AG-ST)
770 EQ
91 Fabre Montmayou Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2009
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, AB $26
Tobacco, cedar, chocolate, peppery, black berry, cassis jam, menthol, black olive aromas. Dry, full, round, smooth and juicy with lots of concentration. Huge peppery, black berry, cassis jam, coffee, vanilla, tobacco, liquorice, rooty, Christmas cake flavours. Big, bold, fruity and intense, this needs 2-7 years but a fine effort and value for Mendoza cabernet sauvignon. (AG-ST)
770 EQ
91 Fabre Montmayou Malbec Gran Reserva 2009
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, AB $26
Deep black cherry colour. Tobacco, peppery, inky, savoury, vanilla, black plum, black berry, smoky, floral, liquorice aromas. Smooth, rich, ripe, round and warm palate with juicy acidity and soft, present tannins. Vanilla, peppery, liquorice, orange, Christmas cake, boysenberry, black cherry and savoury flavours. Warm and full in a fruity and savoury style that needs 2-4 years. (AG-ST)
744 EQ
90 Finca Flichman Paisaje de Tupungato 2009 Malbec - Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot
Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina ON $18 srp, QC $21
Exciting spicy, red liquorice, peppery, floral, black plum, cassis, waxy, savoury, herbal aromas. Rich, ripe, round, fresh and juicy palate with supple tannins. Big cassis, black berry, orange, smoky, savoury, tobacco, plum, vanilla and liquorice flavours. Warm finish but very good fruit and balance with ripe tannins. Can age 2-3 years but good now too. Great value in a 70/25/5 blend of malbec, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. (AG-ST)
740 EQ
90 Terrazas de los Andes Malbec Reserva 2009
Mendoza, Argentina BC $21 specialty listing, AB $18.95 private wine shop, ON $19.95, QC $18.50
Chocolate, peppery, spicy, savoury, floral, barnyard, black cherry, tobacco aromas. Dry, full, supple, smooth palate with peppery, smoky, spicy, tobacco, cherry jam, chocolate, orange, leather and liquorice flavours. Finish is young and warm with fine concentration and finesse. Needs two to four years more in bottle to express all its talent. Great wine for steak. (AG-ST)
731 EQ
93 O. Fournier Alpha Crux Red Blend 2004 Tempranillo - Malbec
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina AB $48 private wine shops
Open vanilla, chocolate, blackberry jam nose with peppery, meaty, smoky, spicy, tobacco and cedar aromas. Rich, round, concentrated and supple palate with good acidity balance. Black cherry jam, blood orange, chocolate, cherry, tobacco, vanilla, meaty, coffee, Christmas cake flavours. Long, full, warm and supple palate with good finesse. Still youthful but will improve for a few years yet. The A Crux blend is 50/30/20 tempranillo, malbec and merlot. (AG-ST)
726 EQ
89 Punto Final Malbec 2009
Mendoza, Argentina BC $16 specialty listing, AB $17 private wine shops, QC $17
We like consistency and this label is starting to deliver that each year. Love the supple, fresh peppery palate with mineral, savoury bay leaf and liquorice notes mixed with black cherry flavours with a warm black raspberry aftertaste. Grilled meat seems an obvious choice but serve it with a chimichurri sauce. (AG-ST)
706 EQ
91 El Enemigo Gran Enemigo 2008 Cabernet Franc
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina BC $28 speculative listing - Trialto Wine Group, AB $24 fine wine boutiques, ON $19.95 Vintages
Smoky, peppery, tobacco, earth, dried cherry, cranberry, orange peel and vanilla aromas with a bit of barnyard. Round, full, smooth, ripe, grainy tannins with fresh acidity. Smoky, meaty, leather, coffee, cigar, dried cranberry, vanilla, chocolate, cherry, cedar flavours. Good intensity and length, bit on the bretty side but ripe fruit and long. A fine effort to elevate cabernet franc in Argentina. (AG)
693 EQ
92 Cobos Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina BC $45 specialty listing
Open savoury peppery, black berry nose with barnyard, floral, vanilla, menthol, coffee aromas. Round, full, supple but with some grainy tannin and juicy acidity. Coffee, vanilla, black berry, tobacco, herbal, savoury, leather flavours with a chocolate, olive, cedar finish. Good concentration and balance if a bit oaky and warm at this point. Give it a few years. (AG-ST)
691 EQ
90 Zuccardi Q Malbec 2010
Mendoza, Argentina NF $22, NS $21, QC $20
A blend of cool and warm fruit showing spicy, black cherry, peppery, vanilla, liquorice, chocolate, savoury, floral and leather aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, elegant palate with juicy acidity and light tannins. Black cherry, plum, orange, liquorice vanilla, poultry spice and tobacco flavours. Good freshness and balance with clean fruit and intensity. Solid value here. (AG-ST)
691 EQ
89 Ben Marco Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Mendoza, Argentina NS $18, ON $17 fine wine shops
Peppery, smoky, barnyard, cassis, prune, leather, black olive, black pepper aromas with a floral, chocolate note. Rich, round, full, juicy but slightly tannic palate. Chocolate, vanilla, coconut, cassis, blackberry, tobacco, coffee flavours with a cedar, tapenade finish. Good fruit and fresh but some green savoury tannin on the finish. This will need a few years to soften and show its best stuff. (AG-ST)
630 EQ
87 O. Fournier Urban Uco Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina, estimated Canadian retail $7
Similar to B Crux the fruit is grown at Vista Flores, Mendoza at 1100 meters and the harvest normally gets underway in Mid-February. The style is slightly more approachable with floral, passion fruit, guava, grapefruit, spicy, nettle aromas. Very fresh, dry, juicy palate with minty, passion fruit, grassy, gooseberry and nettle flavours. Good solid fruit and balance at a good price. Drink now with seafood and or chicken and pasta dishes. (AG-ST)
