Tinto Negro 2017 Malbec - 87pts

Tinto Negro 2017 Malbec (Lujan de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: Private wine stores
Cost: $14.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 7th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A well-priced, entry-level Malbec, (mostly) dry with a rich and round demeanor, both 'juicy' and 'dark' with some pleasant red and black fruit notes, savoury spices and a touch of chocolate-vanilla. A little sharp on the concentrated, tannin-free, mouth-watering finish. Pair with BBQ sauce-drenched chicken wings. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Kaiken 2015 Ultra Malbec - 91pts

Kaiken 2015 Ultra Malbec (Lujan de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: Private wine stores like Everything Wine
Cost: $30-32 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: May 6th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A dense and dark Malbec, very 'broody' on both the licorice'n'cassis scented nose and the ultra-concentrated palate where flavours of black plums, blackberries, wild herbs and plenty of spice are supported nicely by dusty, fine tannins and wild-berry acidity. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Kaiken 2016 Reserva Malbec - 86pts

Kaiken 2016 Reserva Malbec (Lujan de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: Special order, private wine stores
Cost: $14.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: April 18th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Tonally, a cooler edition of this well-priced Malbec from the Montes family, the 2016 offers a profile of dark and red berry fruit with charred oak and spice on the masculine, developing nose and on the green-ish, spice-driven palate. Finish is moderate with lively wild berry acidity and a hint of mint and tar. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Doña Paula 2017 Los Cardos Malbec - 87pts

Doña Paula 2017 Los Cardos Malbec  (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: Private stores like Everything Wine
Cost: $12.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 14th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Produced from high altitude vineyards in the Luján de Cuyo region of Mendoza, this 100% Malbec wine blends (somewhat) off-dry, ripe berry flavours with plenty of bright, pomegranate acidity and fine, lightly-smoked tannins to keep the overall balance dry and making it a great pairing for BBQ chicken or pork dishes. Look for light spice notes on the tasty, moderate finish. Excellent value. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Kaiken 2012 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon - 86pts

Kaiken 2012 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Lujan de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: Special order, private wine stores
Cost: $14.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: May 20th, 2017

Tasting Notes: At 5 years of age, this well-made, budget Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza has already peaked with mature aromas and flavours blooming on the prune-spiked, blueberry'n'spice nose and on the similarly-flavoured, smokey-tannin, (nearly) off-dry, palate. Drink 2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Kaiken 2015 Reserva Malbec - 87pts

Kaiken 2015 Reserva Malbec (Lujan de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: Special order, private wine stores
Cost: $14.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: April 20th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Impressive balance and intensity for the price, the Kaiken Reserva Malbec is produced by the Montes family of Chile from Mendoza fruit and offers a blooming nose of dark berry fruit, charred oak and sweet pipe tobacco aromas followed by a mouth-watering, full-bodied and round palate with a combination of sweet berry and spicy flavours. Finished with a hint of mint. Enjoy in its youth with sweet'n'spicy, BBQ dished. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Trivento 2012 Golden Reserve Malbec - 90pts

Trivento 2012 Golden Reserve Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $22.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: January 7th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A robust, masculine Malbec from the Luján de Cuyo region of Mendoza that exudes confidence and restraint through aromas of blackberry, spicy plum, menthol and sweet vanilla on the concentrated nose and via oak-kissed, mixed-berry fruit and black plum flavours on the well-structured, lip-smacking palate. Smooth tannins, impressive balance and length make this wine seem like a bargain at its under $25 price-point. Pair it with a rack of lamb with mint sauce.

Ready to be enjoyed now, though, will hold for another 3-4 years comfortably. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Three Thieves 2013 The Show Malbec - 87pts

Three Thieves 2013 The Show Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 17,000 cases
Date Tasted: October 4th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A consistent performer with a boisterous nose of classic Argentina Malbec, berry'n'spice aromas and a fruity, mouth-watering palate that balances glycerol fullness from (some) residual sugar with tangy, wild berry acidity and smoky, mesquite tannins, allowing the wine to finish moderately long and spicy.

BBQ pork or beef dishes are a great bet for this wine (think Argentina cuisine). Enjoy it in its youth over the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

On a side note: At the time of this review, the 2012 vintage is still selling at BCLDB stores. See our notes on that vintage here. Look for the (slightly) enhanced 2013 vintage to show up on the shelves when the 2012's sell through.

Three Thieves 2012 The Show Malbec - 86pts

Three Thieves 2012 The Show Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 17,000 casesDate Tasted: March 24th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A straight-forward expression of 'fruit'n'spicy' Malbec with a focus on the balance between the residual sweetness on mouth-watering palate and the grippy nature of the mouth feel. Ripe, dark berry fruit and savoury spice characters are supported by firm tannins procured from 9 months in 25% new French oak contributing to the wine's food-friendliness - think BBQ steak or short ribs. Finish is a bit short and unrefined, but the wine is as advertised: entertaining. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

On a side note: If 'The Show' label looks familiar but you not from only in the Argentina section of your wine store it's because the Napa Valley-based Three Thieves company makes many wines from international regions that will show-up all over your local wine shop. These include a Garnacha from Spain, a Pinot Noir from Chile and a Cabernet Sauvignon from California.

Luigi Bosca 2011 Malbec - 88pts

Luigi Bosca 2011  Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 120,000 cases
Date Tasted: March 15th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A very pure expression of Malbec with a focus on the balance between the natural, fleshy-fruit and peppercorn qualities of the variety. Some oak influence from 12 months in French barrels is perceptible and successfully enhances both the blackberry and plum-infused nose and the modern, fruit-forward, easy-drinking palate. Tannins are mild but fine while mouth-watering acidity keeps everything feeling fresh and lively.

'Flexible' on the food-pairing front, making it a great dinner-party companion when you are unaware of the planned menu. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Bodega Norton 2010 Reserva Malbec - 90+pts

Bodega Norton 2010 Reserva Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $18-20
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: October 20th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Warm, inviting and layered, the Reserva from Bodegas Norton is the Malbec for lovers of red wines with character, a sense of place and bold fruit but without the residual sweetness all too common among red wines these days. Smooth, ripe blue fruit aromas mingle on the nose with lightly toasted oak, vanilla and soothing spice notes. The palate begins with a nice hit of berry fruit transitioning to savoury-oak flavours through to the long, well balanced and mouth-watering finish where mineral and spice linger. Ready to go now, but should improve some over the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2017.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Bodega Norton 2010 Barrel Select Malbec - 87pts

Bodega Norton 2010 Barrel Select Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $15-16
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: October 19th, 2013

Tasting Notes: This inky-purple hued Malbec from Mendoza bursts with ripe, sweet plum and blackberry pie aromas on the otherwise earthy nose where scorched dirt and spicy, toasted oak notes play second fiddle to the bold fruit. Impressive concentration of blue fruit flavours and loads of cooking spice dress up the full palate which oozes glycerol texture through to a sweet'n'tart wild berry and toasted oak finish where a touch of citrus acidity lingers. Enjoy this well made, entry-level Malbec in its youth. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca