Malbec is typically tough to drink young, at least to my taste, but I was delighted to find a young Malbec with a soul as well as a backbone. Tremonte’s 2010 Single Vineyard Reserva Malbec is an exciting Chilean rendition of Argentina’s prime red grape, so this month’s first Top Pick belongs to the folks at Tremonte for their big, but polished Single Vineyard Reserva Malbec. Tremonte’s Malbec is definitely powerful and structured, but also sophisticated. It drinks well now with a juicy red steak, hearty pastas, and spicy vegetable dishes, but it will continue to improve in bottle for years to come. For optimum enjoyment, lay this big-boned beauty down for awhile to develop further complexity: I doubt you will be disappointed. My second Top Pick this month goes to another Chilean wine, Surazo’s 2006 Carmenere Reserva Especial. Rarely do we see Carmenere or any wine for that matter at the very peak of performance, but Don Emilio de Solminihac’s Surazo Carmenere offers a rare glimpse of mature Carmenere. Besides, I really like Carmenere, so this wine’s wild berry, coffee, and dark chocolate tones were just too much for me to resist. I feel a bit guilty about not choosing Casa Silva’s beautiful Reserva Chardonnay and Biltmore’s elegant, estate bottled Riesling, but choose I must, so A votre santé!
About Don Lahey
Don Lahey's career in the wine industry spans over 30 years as an importer, author, consultant, and educator. He leads the tasting panel that selects our wines each month.
