2009 Pascual Toso Reserve Malbec

“Wine offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than possibly any other purely sensory thing which may be purchased.” ………. Ernest Hemingway

The best Valpolicella (Italian Corvina grape) comes from Amarone (Italy) where the grapes are left to hang on the vine a little longer. The wine is honestly liquid romance: supple and sensuous in the mouth.  But buying a nice Masi, Tommasi,  or Zenato  Amaraone della Valpolicella can easily cost $80. On rare occasions, I will buy these wines when they are marked down as an “end of bin,” but even at the sale price, they exceed the Mizer price recommendation. Imagine my delight, then, when visiting another wine aficionado (The Chicago Wino, see the link at “Other Good Wine Sites” on this page) and he opened a 2009 Pascual Toso Reserve Malbec, which reminded me some of Amarone’s loveliness.

Without tasting this particular Malbec, I would not – have not – could not - image comparing a Malbec to an Amarone.  In fact, while I have enjoyed some Malbecs, I would normally prefer a (right bank) Merlot based Bordeaux. But the balance, the mouth feel, and the lush fruit of this Malbec reminded me, in some ways, of the exquisite Amarone.  Certainly, these wines are not twins.  And one important difference is in their price:  The 2009 Pascual Toso Reserve Malbec is widely available at $17-$19.     

We opened the bottle an hour before drinking. In the glass, it presents a light cherry color. The nose is moderate and offers slight hints of chocolate and strawberry jam. The tannins are soft and the wine is wonderfully balanced. We aerated the next glass and noted that everything was enhanced. The nose offered more strawberry with a hint of violet. The wine tasted of chocolate, plum and strawberry.

This wine is aged in French oak for twelve months and enjoys malolactic fermentation, making it soft. It drinks like silk. This Malbec is liquid romance on a budget.  It is 100% Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina. Parker awards it 90-93 points.  Cellartracker awards 89.3 points (average). And as the WineMizer, I  give this Malbec a strong “buy” recommendation.    Let me know what you think.

Salud y amor y tiempo para disfrutarlo
(Health and love and time to enjoy)
.............................................................. Jim

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