Neal Schaffer

9.3

Phenomenal. Super refined and developed on the palate. A burst of bright cherries and smashed, oozing red raspberries is lifted by edgy acidity. It retains earthiness without going dense. A firm minerality of wet stone keeps it grounded, and fresh red and green bell pepper pumps life through just about every drop. Where this wine excels is through its finish... long, structured tannins covered in dark cocoa, vegetal, tingly pepper, sage, smoked paprika, sweet tobacco, and pure fruit. You continue to taste this wine for over two minutes. This is serious, complex, juicy, and versatile all at the same time. Reminds me of just how fun the wine world really is. — 7 years ago

Hernan L

9.3

Great blend from Argentina! Deep, long and very elegant. Silky, with matured tannins. Shared it with two wine loving friends, who were as ecstatic as me. Finished it, and ordered a case. 8 years in, it tasted fantastic. — 7 years ago

Marshall Todd Herron DPM

9.0

Achaval Ferrer Malbec 2015 from Mendoza Argentina . Bouquet is raspberry salt water taffy and chocolate in an ocean front candy store. The color is dark dark dark. The initial palate is so smooth as is the ending. It begins with dark currant and ripe blackberry. It is thick and heavy in the mouth. Love this! Pepper and spice take over the palate like an invading ARMY. There is also chocolate and fig. The finish is amazing leaving a hint of oak, peppermint, and cigar surrounded by a tiny bit of dryness. It leaves the palate thirsting for More More More!!!!! WOW. This is a perfect wine for me. I give it a ten. I will buy this again and again! However, now it is Thursday night- 24 hours later and I had to pour the second half of the bottle out. So, drink with a friend or the entire bottle. It is no good on day two. And I had it preserved in my red wine cooler at 65 degrees. — 8 years ago

Antonia Bergman

9.0

Tastes were true to the wine maker notes. I feel like it might be even better in a year or two. Would buy more! — 8 years ago

Brandon Baila

8.9

Incredible nose, top two all time in that category — 9 years ago

Charles Duncan

9.3

One of top two Malbecs in our month long pair-wise blind comparison of 16 moderately priced Malbecs. — 9 years ago

Shane M. Nicholson

9.0

Listen......Malbec , for all its gratuitous idiosyncratic ways, should celebrate its pleasurable simplicities. Why hide the fact that you have a hot body and make young men weak in the knees?! Valle Escondido. One of the hidden treasures of Mendoza. One of the highest elevated vineyards in the DO. This is a friggin steal!! $9.99 are you outaa your mind?! Yes.......You're welcome — 10 years ago

Georgina McDonald

9.3

Big fan of this Malbec. Rose, anise seed and dark chocolate on the nose complete with tobacco and dark cherries on the palate. Continues to open and develop. Such a beauty. Two nights in a row I taste a great wine chosen by another German friend 🇩🇪 — 10 years ago

Phill Mulnick

9.0

Needs time. Check back in a year or two. — 10 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.2

Susan is the first woman winemakers in the business in Argentina they did not have the knowledge on how to make great wines the canopy management work done in this country helped revolutionize the wine industry and make great wines today she was on physics and then she wanted to leave Mendoza and had to pick another field of study enology was the one that interested her he most. Lucky and blessed person to have this career you still have time to spend with family started her own winery in 1999 now she could make what she liked started from scratch and failed the first time but still had the dream rented a facility and started with export market only one importer per market they now have vineyards winery and the two kids are now working with her. Torrpntez very floral jasmine rose petal and lychee nut fruit has a nice zest to the finish very balanced crips in honor of two children mom it's embarrassing please change the label benmarci expression of vineyards Malbec from vista Flores Stoney sandy soils signature from lime soils. Cabernet Sauvignon from tupongato 1000 meters to 11000 Meters dark berry fruit currant berry fruit tobacco spice black pepper. Big and chewy on the tongue — 11 years ago

Andrew Davidoff

9.2

Bigger and bolder than the last two vintages I have tasted. This one needs time in the glass to open. Fruit comes on strong initially but not overly oaky - super soft tannins. Once open it’s delightful - Malbec should always taste like this. — 7 years ago

William Bonard

8.9

Haven’t drunk a Malbec in ages so this was a nice change. Gave two hours to breathe, it opened up nicely and was laden with rich fruity flavours. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

3000th post. 🎉 On the nose; sweet, lush; black cassis, liqueur notes, sweet tarry notes, rich, lush; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, caramel, mocha, caramel, baking spices, warm, moist, rich, dark soils and fresh dark florals. The body is M and the tannins are round and soft. She is a beauty. Ripe, rich; blackberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, black raspberries & poached strawberries. liqueur notes, sweet tarry notes, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, baking spices, menthol, warm, moist dark earth, soft leather, dry rock powder, sweet black tea, fresh violets, dark, red florals, perfect round acidity and a rich, round, elegant fruit driven finish that last and lasts. Photos of; Clos E'Lgise and estate vines, signage, Helen Garcin-Leveque and her husband Patrice Leveque and their barrel cellar. Producer history and notes...Clos L’Eglise is one of the older chateaux in Pomerol dating back to the 18th century. The same time the farmhouse that is still in use was constructed. At the time, Chateau Clos L’Eglise was a larger estate. It once had been apart of the Gombaude Guillot. Eventually the estate was split in half. On one side of the street, you had Chateau Clos l’Eglise; which was owned by the Rouchut family. Across the street sat Chateau Clos l’Eglise-Clinet, which was owned by the Mauleon family. After awhile, Clos l’Eglise Clinet eventually changed its name to Chateau l’Eglise Clinet which also simultaneously gave birth to what we know today as Clos L’Eglise. While the wines are now produced by Helene Garcin that was not always the case with Clos L’Eglise. At one point, the estate produced wines under a leasing arrangement held by the Rouchut family. The modern era of Clos L’Eglise began in 1975, when the property facilities were all redesigned and modernized by the Moreau family. The Moreau’s also owned Chateau Plince. The old, non temperature controlled wood tanks were replaced by stainless steel. The vineyards were also expanded. Instead of buying more vines, the owners simply planted land that was being used as a pasture. Imagine now, Pomerol land being used to feed cattle. In the past, the property was planted with a much larger percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, near 20%. All the Cabernet Sauvignon vines were eventually ripped out and replaced by Merlot. The next step of it's evolution took place in 1997 when the Right Bank estate was sold to Sylvaine Garcin Cathiard by the Moreau family. If the Cathiard name sounds family, she is the sister of Daniel Cathiard, the owner of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. The sale set a new benchmark price for Pomerol when it sold for 12 million Euros! Today that price would be laughable! Prior to 2000, that was considered a huge price for Pomerol. Further investment was needed to replace the aging concrete vats and again modernize the facilities. In fact, the first vintage of Clos L’Eglise made by Helene Garcin was produced at Haut Bergey in Pessac Leognan. Helene Garcin also manages two estates in St. Emilion, Chateau Barde Haut, Chateau Poesia (Mendoza, Argentina) and Branon, which is situated in Pessac Leognan. Helene Garcin was put in charge of the property. She hired Michel Rolland as a consultant and a complete renovation of the facilities took place. Michel Rolland was eventually replaced by Alain Raynaud. Starting with the 2015 vintage, Thomas Duclos recently replaced Alain as the consultant. Their property is nearly 6 hectares. L’Eglise soils are rich clay, gravel and iron. It's located on a sloping hill near Chateau Clinet, Chateau L’Eglise Clinet and Chateau Trotanoy. Clos L’Eglise is planted to 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. On average, the vines are 35 years of age. There is one old parcel of Cabernet Franc that was planted in the 1940’s. Vinification of Clos L’Eglise takes place in 55 hectoliter, insulated, stainless steel tanks. The new steel tanks replaced the oak vats in 2012. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel. Clos L’Eglise is aged in 100% new French oak for between 16 and 18 months. The property also has a second wine, Esprit de L’Eglise. On average, about 1,200 cases of Clos L’Eglise are produced every year. — 8 years ago

Pat Suchor

9.3

Impressed. Got this in a case from Laithwaite Wines. Enjoyed over two nights with a pan-seared sirloin on night two. I have two more bottles and will treat them as a rare commodity. — 10 years ago

with Melissa

Mark Kammerich

8.9

My first Malbec. A sentimental wine as it was part of a wine package I purchased on a Disney cruise in 2013 only to drink two years later for Lindsay's birthday party with Danny, Sharlene and father-in-law Phil. My wife Lori tried, but doesn't recall her thoughts. I am doing better recording her input now. — 10 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.0

#bytheglass
12' Two Men in Mendoza Malbec
Candied cherries and toffee get you ready for sweetness then bam as savoury and Saturn like as they come. — 10 years ago

Kevin Pierce

8.9

I've never had a Malbec before.
The color is a dark burgundy.
The aroma is pleasing for a red wine.
I tried some milk chocolate kisses and they paired well.
There is a 14.5% alcohol content so one, maybe two glasses is enough to relax to.
The after taste stays in your palate for an easy 35 seconds.
It's a wine worth buying for the experience.

— 10 years ago

Paco Suro

9.6

Gorgeous wine. Small producer in Rioja. Had this at El Portal which is a two star. Price.... 40eur so think less than 30eur retail. Come on at a two star! — 11 years ago

Michael Mathews

9.6

Holy smokes. This is the best of Australian Barossa valley wine. This Shiraz was gifted to me 13 years ago by a good friend, Ron Candy - a gentleman of gentleman. A true Ozzie with a heart of gold. It was on this date too, while I was living in Sydney, 13 years ago that I lost my friend, my golf buddy, my business partner and father-in-law Herb Schimeneck to the wicked complications and consequences of cancer. If you’re drinking tonight, and so moved, raise a glass to Ron, and especially to Herb - two great men that helped me became a better version of myself than I could have imagined or hoped for. Cheers to you all.....my friends today and of tomorrow. — 7 years ago

with PJ, Sonia and 5 others

Aaron Means

9.3

Great first wine to break a two week drinking hiatus. Delivers the goods in a elegant package. Red and black currant, fine herb, tobacco, bay leaf. Explosive nose. Spot on delicious somewhere between old world and new world. — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

8.9

Second of the blind Chardonnays for this quarter's S&E Wine Club. Theme was Chardonnays for white wine and red wines you can purchase at grocery stores.

Pale yellow. A touch of hay and dirty on the start of the nose. Quite a bit of stone fruits, a touch creamy and minerality in the finish. Medium plus acidity (6.5/10) and light bodied. Seems to have only a touch of new oak on the palate (came through a lot more on day two). Layers of peaches, lemon and stone throughout. Medium plus finish. Drink till 2021. — 8 years ago

with Sean

Dr.Meandor

8.9

Tasted 17/10/2016

I cellared it 3 years... Smart boy!))) 
Lush, bold, unbridled, solid Malbec, blend of two vineyards: Finca El Oasis& Finca La Palma. 
Fermented 26 days at 26-28oC, macerated 15 days, then aged 1 yr in 50% new French and American oak.

Deep dark garnet, bricky ruby rim.
Fleshy nose of black pepper, wet earth, roasted cacao beans, prune, black currant, blueberry pie, ink, saskatoon & violets.
Nearly full bodied, with pleasantly coarse tannins and backbone acidity. Black and red currant, blackthorn, wild cherry, bilberry, blue fig, wooden bark.
Enjoyable knitting finish full of black fruits, oak bark, vanilla.
Perfect nectar to accompany my juicy marble steak. — 9 years ago

William Bonard

9.1

Tonight's wine pairing with dinner: Malbec and lasagne. Two of my favourite things in life! — 9 years ago

Joshua Fisher

8.9

In the old testament Moses sends two men forward to scout the promised land, they go and return carrying bunches of red grapes so large and god filled that they had to transport em hung unstemmed on a long pole carried on the shoulders of the two fellows. Proof they had been and seen the Promised Land ahead. If any grapes broke and that juice ran free down the pole and they, in their thirst, drank that broken juice, Chateau Unang was what it tasted like. — 10 years ago

Sarah Heston

8.9

Between two men a lady needs some space to breathe. And like the space that one's own room provides, these bubbles are large yet not dominating, allow for space yet don't isolate you in the flavor. These bubbles allow a woman to breathe, and for that in their austere simplicity, they do the job just fine. — 10 years ago

Jim Eldridge

10

Best Malbec we've yet. Hard to find but not impossible. Tried to order locally and was told it was sold out. So, I tracked down the distributor (Grapevine, in NC) nice people. They told me more was coming. Went back to my two local sellers and told them to back order it. Got 4 bottles within two weeks. This is the 2009. $58 per bottle. — 10 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.0

Two big names in Argentina are involved in this brand and there is a touch of Cabernet franc. — 11 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.2

This is the entry level of Rutini winery the have two lines in this label half owned by catena. — 11 years ago