December can elicit many choices for pick of the month. There is prime rib, ham, apps galore, and year-end celebrations just around the corner. The wine that caught my attention this month is a Malbec. Malbec is such a good wine for a variety of foods from the said prime rib to ham to pizza to appetizers. You name it, and many times, Malbec is an excellent pairing. Although I find a lot of Malbec offered up to be somewhat Homogeneous, this one showed some interesting elements at a great price.
Stan’s December Pick.
2012 Valle Las Nencias Malbec Reserve (Mendoza, Argentina)… $11.
Named after the flower that grows in this high altitude valley, this Malbec displays aromas of black olive, boysenberries, old wood, violets and rose petal, with tobacco notes lingering underneath. Sweet tannins support notes of boysenberries and plums with a lace of white pepper and tobacco. Seamless across the palate finishing with brooding fruit notes, wilted violets, leather and a little BBQ spice action on the back-end. At eleven bucks, this bottle of juice shows nice complexity. A lot of wine for the money, and my pick for December. (B+)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
