Andeluna Cellars Malbec Winemakers Selection
Malbec 2004 Reviews

I was in a Malbec state of mind. I wanted something simple and red, a big dark red, to go with some red meat, more specifically, a burger, grilled. I didn’t hit Wednesday’s Lotto and thought it more prudent to go for the sub-$10 class of wine. I saw this Andeluna Malbec and liked its graphic image and meaning: the moon over the Andes. Using that as my base criteria, I grabbed a bottle.

The bodega is at the base of the Andes in Mendoza, Argentina and the label’s image represents the moon either rising or setting over the South American mountain range. When looking at the Andes facing towards the west, I always think it interesting that Argentina’s wine country is just a short, albeit big, hop over the high mountains to Chile’s competing wine region. In some ways the geographic relationship is similar as Napa Valley to Sonoma Valley with the Mayacamas Range separating the two. One probable difference is Sonoma Valley doesn’t worry about Napa Valley sending its Air Force over to visit in the same way the Argentinians sometimes worry about Chile’s. If that ever happens, the Argentinians might try tossing this mini-bomb at them.

The dark purple wine had a black jammy fruit nose with floral and earthy tones bolstered with some funky oak whiffs. The nose sparked some flicker of warning. I wasn’t expecting too much when I opened this wine, not like Geraldo Rivera opening Al Capone’s safe. I was just looking for an easy-drinking red wine to go with my burger. The palate followed through with blackberry and plum fruit, but in the mid-palate there were these funky vegetal bits that weren’t exactly complimentary to the wine. It rounds out with some tobacco and chocolate, and calls it a wrap with ripe tannins. I suspect the vegetal note may have been infused from its oak barrel. I’ve had better Malbecs at this price, but this Andeluna Malbec didn’t offend the burger's sensibilities. So, is the moon rising or setting over the Andes? Right now I’d say it’s stuck in the middle.

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