As is my custom when I accompany my Mom to Sams Club, I was perusing the wine yesterday in hopes of finding something interesting. The label of one bottle caught my eye; it's earthy and organic looking, though elegantly sparse. Sure enough, the bottle I picked up was an organic, unfiltered Malbec.
Through sheer coincidence, I ran into a woman (with rather crazy looking fiery red hair) setting up a wine tasting station. One of the wines she was offering was the Malbec I had picked up earlier. I inquired whether she liked the Neu Directions Malbec or not. She said she loved it, and offered a taster to Mom and I. Never women to refuse a sip of wine, we eagerly accepted. Mom sipped it first and made a rather unpleasant face. Contrary to what that might indicate to you guys- I know we have very different tastes. So the fact that Mom didn't like it probably meant it was going to be a winner. I had to smell it first. I stuck my nose in the tiny thimble Sam's was serving their wine in, and it was met with a fantastic peppery, spicy sweetness. It was a bolder nose than I'd expect to find on a Malbec; almost with the power of a Cabernet. Regardless, it was awesome. I took a sip and swished it around for a second. It coated my mouth with just a hint of tannin. If you're the kind of girl who likes Bloody Marys, you'd like this Malbec. It was indeed spicy and rich on the tongue, with kind of a plummy finish. I resolved right then that I had to buy it.
Technical Info:
Varietal: 100% Malbec (though it does taste a bit like a Cab)
Alcohol: 13%
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Price: $9.78 at Sams Club
Rachel's Grade: A-/B+ It takes a certain palate to really appreciate this wine, but damn I think it's awesome. If you're a Pinot drinker or a white wine girl then steer clear. If you can really appreciate a big, complex Malbec, this is an incredible option. Especially for under $10!
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