Benjamin Malbec, Argentina

At this time I will quote directly from another website; the Argentina Wine Guide http://www.argentinawineguide.com/reviews/BenSenMal05.html which says "There isn't anything very complicated happening in this malbec".

Wow. That's about the size of it.

I just spent another hour researching what Argentinian ex-pats think of the wine they get here, and what wine they bring back to Canada or the US when they go home. Categorically it's not Benjamin (http://www.nietosenetiner.com.ar/ ). A decent enough wine, it certainly doesn't offend, but really it's just a "middle of the afternoon sipping wine" - but with my 20 year old brother, not one of my wine-friends.

2009 Benjamin Nieto Senetiner Malbec

13.5%, $17 (at speciality wines stores - $15 at http://www.marquiswines.com/ ) **hamburger wine**

• moderate nose of ripe red berries and oak
• moderate- acids, moderate+ tannins (a little gravelly), moderate intense palate - with red berries, oak, leather, touch of dark chocolate
• moderate- body, moderate+ alcohol (its a bit hot), light structure

Well, not much else to say. If I bought it for $12 I would think it was decent value, but since I paid $17 I feel like I got ripped off a little. Do yourself a favor, if you want a cheap wine buy Copper Moon or Finca Los Primos, and if you want a decent bottle for under $20, choose any number of other wines.

Finca Los Primos (wines under $10)

Another rainy weekend in YVR (Vancouver), and little to do but clean the house, build a fire and drink some wine. Well, maybe not that bad of a weekend after all!

I had walked past Finca Los Primos many times in the Argentinean aisle many times in the wine store... I'm not one to usually buy $10 wines. It's not that I don't love a good deal, because I most assuredly do, it's just that I hate spending $10 and then finding out I bought cooking wine. In fact, my dear old Dad would say "Don't buy cooking wine that you can't drink whilst you cook.". Good advice Dad.

I adore Argentinean wines; they are rich, full-bodied, and intense value for the money. I could sing the praises of many wineries from there right now - but I'll talk about Finca instead. All I can say is how much I would love to go there and visit the Bianchi family (www.vbianchi.com ), and try the wines they don't export to Canada. I have the feeling that in the USA, these wines would retail about $4-$5. Maximum.

2009 Finca Los Primos Syrah (San Rafael, Argentina) $10 *NMCT (not my cuppa tea)

• deep, rich garnet color
• thin, acidic blackberry notes on the nose - some terroir
• moderate acids, moderate chewy tannins, fruit forward with back palate of chalk & blackberry... spicy finish
• this wine gets better the longer you leave it open. Do yourself a favor and open it the day before you plan to drink it

2009 Finca Los Primos Malbec (San Rafael, Argentina) $10 *good value

• deep ruby/garnet color
• surprising well balanced nose of blackberry/cherry, light red currant, oak, terroir
• moderate- acids, moderate+ reasonably smooth tannins, flavors of cherry, oak, leather, tobacco, even a touch of floral
• I opened this wine 2 days ago the put the top back on. Taste and nose have soften, richened - I would and will gladly drink this wine now. 2 days ago I would have cooked with it only under duress

2008Finca Los Primos Cabernet Sauvignon (San Rafael, Argentina) $10 *good value

• deepest richest black garnet color
• nose of chalky terroir, old leathery oak, pencil shavings, dusty plums
• moderate- acids, moderate+ slightly chewy tannins, big palate full of red berries, some black fruit, the oak really showing throughout... alcohol is a touch warm, but also is 14% - don't serve with spicy food or the alcohol will seem even hotter
• totally decent wine! I have to thank John Schreiner (www.johnschreiner.blogspot.com ) who often will leave a less expensive wine open for a few days to see what develops. Smart man!

If this is a sample of what I can buy in BC (with it's huge liquor taxes) for $10, then I really do need to go to San Rafael!

pain in my Neck?

well well...

New owners have taken over the "Neck of the Woods" winery (Okanagan, BC) and I was able to taste their 2006 Merlot today.

WINE A
clear visual, moderate intense; light garnet

clean smell, full intensity; barnyard smells (yes I know that sounds a bit gross, but it's just individual taste and I actually like it), Russian tea, leather, dark chocolate, over-ripe plums

00 dryness, moderate++ acid, moderate+ tannin; green cherries, leather, mushrooms, dark chocolate

moderate- body

moderate+ alcohol (almost 13%)

decent length (6 seconds+)

Neck of the Woods, 2006 Merlot, $10

So I would say that either I tasted an off bottle (it didn't taste corked) or this wine is poorly balanced... the acids are overbearing and in my mind spoil the nuances that come accross so well in the nose. There were alot of tannins, which to me mean that someone built this wine to last, but if it's like this after 3 years I honestly don't know how much potential there is for it.

This wine used to be $17, and has been reduced to $10. Even at that price, I won't be buying it.