I'm always on the look out for a good inexpensive Malbec to add to my go-to wine list, and I was hoping this bottle for $12.99 would be that wine. But it came up a little short. This wine is still very young and just too simple for me, even at the fairly reasonable price tag. We previously tasted, and really enjoyed, inexpensive Costco Malbec like the Chento which might still be in stores, the Tikal (Malbec blend) which I have seen in stores recently, and of course the Kirkland Signature Mendoza Malbec I'm hoping we see return soon. I'd steer readers towards any one of those.
This wine poured nice and felt good in the mouth, full of body with medium acidity. I was getting ready to chalk up a winner, but it just didn't deliver the fruit flavor and finishes really simple, easy and rather uninteresting. I went for the decanter hoping I could jump start it a bit, but even with a little air, this wine just didn't develop to the levels I had hoped. If you're sitting on these at home right now, they can make a good second or third bottle, when you're palate isn't quite at the top of its game.
I recognize this is an inexpensive wine, but for Mendoza Malbec, I think you can find stronger candidates for the same general price segment.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 85 points
Costco item number: 776876
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Perimeter)
Alc. 14.5%
Eugene S Azuolas says
So I wonder why James Suckling gives it a 93 ????? Is this Malbec so inconsistent or we just should not trust Sucking ratings: treat them advertising ? What has been your experience with Sucking's ratings?
2015 Bodegta Piedra reserve malbec: 93 points by James Suckling
"A dense and rich wine with lots of fresh fruit and herb. Full body, chewy and dry. Shows richness with tension. Drink now" Info from Atlas Imports.
Editor says
Hi Eugene, thanks for sharing that. Wine is such an individual experience and we don't pretend to be experts. We just want to share our thoughts about what we drink so others may follow along and share their own thoughts through this site.
Some people may love this wine, others may not. And neither one would be incorrect.
I tend to think that if you follow a number of professional reviewers you'll start to see over time if you agree with their tastes and comments on the wine. And then choose to follow more of the reviewers who have a similar palate and taste profile as you.
It's really individualistic. That's how I feel about it.
Eugene S Azuolas says
Obviously, what you say about individual tastes is absolutely true. (The 'question' was : do you folks think Sucklings ratings are accurate? We all know a 93 is supposed to be in a different class than an 85 wine)
Just as obvious, is that when you rate or buy a Malbec at 93/100, it should be a very good Malbec , whether one likes it nuances or not. If an experienced wine drinker rates that same Malbec wine a 85 then something is wrong. That's too a large disparity. Keep in mind that the 85 came from a guy that likes Malbec.
Assuming the 85 rated bottle was healthy, one would have to conclude the the Suckling rating is pumped up for one of several reasons we can all think of. Since this wine is not available around here (Hawaii) I'll have to count on blogs like this for the other side of the story.
Inflated ratings suck. I've concluded that WE wine ratings are marketing driven and now I add Suckling to that "BS" ignore it" category.
Too bad, Suckling used to be a good dude when he worked for WS... years ago..