Grape Goddess® Recommends – Crios Malbec

	Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis

I have to admit Argentinean Malbec is right up there on my top ten list of wines to drink everyday. I love the combination of ripe fruit, restraint, and natural acidity in the wines. Susana Balbo’s 2010 Crios Malbec Mendoza $12.99 is always a favorite, but when I noticed the screwcap finish I decided to perform a little experiment.

When I first opened the wine, it was pleasant but one-dimensional with dark fruit notes. I closed the bottle and left it on the counter for 24 hours. The next day, it was starting to show more, with red fruit, some earth, and notes of orange pekoe tea. Once again, I left the remaining wine in the bottle for a third 24-hour window. Remember this is a screw-cap finished wine – obviously not meant for aging. Wouldn’t you know it? One the third day the wine had finally blossomed, showing classic notes of violets to round out the other flavors.

What a nice surprise. Nice work Susana!