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2005 El Portillo, Finca El Portillo

Mendoza, Argentina

Color: Red
Name: El Portillo
Vineyard: Finca El Portillo
Type: Malbec
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Year: 2005
Price: $10.00
Rating: 4.5
Pocho's Pick
Review: Good, spicy Malbec. Perhaps not extraordinary, but good day-to-day drinking.

I really enjoyed this wine and it paired wonderfully with Gruyere cheese.

Nice dark ruby color, still see my fingers through it. Nose is leather, a little tar (don't be afraid of the tar), some dark cherry aroma. Medium body, nice attack with cherry then into mixed spices with a little green pepper. Very spicy on the mid-palate, alcohol is not well integrated. Tannins are a little disjointed, smooth up front but rough towards the mid-palate and finish. The finish lacks fruit, it's a bit bitter. This is definitely a food wine, I could see it working with some savory meat or good hard cheese.

Be sure to serve between 61-64° F (slightly cool) as recommended on the bottle and NOT at room temperature (unless of course you live in a very cold room). This makes a significant difference in the taste and really smooths out any harsh notes. I would rate this wine in the upper middle range of the Malbecs I've had.
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