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CulinaryAlchemist · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject:

Babs - I loved your review...!!!
You have talked me into trying another bottle because it has become apparent that I just got a bad one... 'Corked' bottles happen sometimes... I love this Virtual Wine tour... SUCH an Awesome Idea!!!!

Name: Black Mountain
Price: $6.99
Year: 2005 California Malbec - Should be interesting - Never had a domestic one; only imported from Argentina.

Back Story: With an intriguing cross-section of flavors that range from fruit to floral, Black Mountain Malbec offers a very pleasing experience. Notes of Violets and orange Pekoe tea with raspberries and plum. The finish is velvety as soft tannins delight the palate. Take advantage of this wine's depth and complexity. It pairs well with a variety of cuisine. Red Meats, including broiled steaks and braise short ribs yield dependable results. Roasted duck with Malbec reduction sauce and Cedar planked Salmon are a tasty change of pace.

Review:OK, It smells really good, sort of like a Violet'ish semi herbal tea... Cant pick out the orange pekoe specifically though... But is reminded me of the Lo Tango Malbec that I get sometimes. But, It kind of punches you in the taste buds at first then suddenly into a nice sour cherry then moves into A LOT of PLUM. Prevalent tannins at the end, however these softened after sitting in the decanter for and hour and like the bottle says, become more velvety.... They were still strong, but not overly so... Moving back to the plum part, I like a little plum in my wine, but this was REALLY BIG on the Plum side.. Bigger than any of the other 3 have been... I tasted no Raspberries... Now it's possible that the sour cherry will develop into a more raspberry flavor over time (But I am dubious about that)... I will be trying it again this evening after it has been sitting in the decanter for 24 hours... Just to see if it improves.... So this review will change a little later this evening...
UPDATE: After setting out in a decanter for 24 hours; BIG BIG Sour cherries, very little plum... It's true... Velvety feel at the end... Tannin has tamed down... But the Raspberries remain elusive.... Laughing

Would you buy again?: More than likely not; Although it will work in a pinch, I still prefer the La Boca and I love Lo Tango (Which I can;t seem to find anywhere; I think their vintage year is changing)

Wine Pairing Ideas/Recipes: OK, Don't laugh. I was having a REALLY Bad Day yesterday - Car Drama - Which seems to be following me into the weekend. Anyway, I got home from work at 8:30 so cooking was out of the question... SO, I drank my wine with ...
Wait For it.... Wait For it.... Wait for it....
Frozen *White Castle Cheese Burgers* nuked in the micro.... It went surprisingly well... Especially when I added Buffalo sauce to the burgers... Laughing

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Carol · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:10 pm Post subject:

Oh I feel so much better knowing that even you, Shane, resort to the slider. But it seems it has to be a hellish day to send you over the edge. With me, not so much shoving is needed to get me over to the dark side. Laughing

Bob I checked out your recipe and it looks great. I've always wanted to try a jambalaya with no tomato and with brown rice...looks like your recipe will satisfy both those wishes. Thanks!
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ImStuffed · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject:

Now we know that Malbec goes well with White Castle cheese burgers and In and Out burgers...LOL
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BobtheDude · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:01 pm Post subject:

Carol: If you do try it let me know how it turns out!
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Babette · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:28 pm Post subject:

Shane you're hilarious.. you're assuming I have good taste in wine! HAHAHAH You are probably a much more sophisticated drinker. Smile

I do like Black Mountain usually.. I can't wait to see what the next wine is.. Smile

Qui · Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:47 pm Post subject:

OK...I don't have a lot of wine knowledge...If I like it, I drink it, if I don't...I pass...
But...I can still try to learn...Bear with me as I stagger through this...

I finally took the time to go to the store and check out the Malbec.
They had 6 to choose from, from 6.99 to 19.99.
I talked to the wine guy (technical term) and he asked what I usually drink, did I like sweet, dry, in between…etc.
He explained that most have spicy fruit flavor, each has other overtones and he thought I would like the Silvertop best. It’s also his favorite…and 6.99.

The bottle says - Silvertop Malbec, Mendoza De Argentina. 2006
Planted at the foothills of the Andes, the vineyards benefit from a particular micro climate: all tear round, the snow remains on top of the Cordillera des Andes giving the impression of a “Silver Top” and producing a cooler growing season favoring the development of color and fruit flavor. Made to enjoy, this wine with spiced red plum flavor combined with this silky texture should please you at any time of the day.
What it doesn’t say, but the wine guy said, is that it also has pear notes and a hint of dark chocolate at the back.

That said, I tried it at slightly less than room temp.
It has a rather plumy aroma (nose…thank you Carol) rather like oriental plums, but the taste is not overly fruity.
It has subtle flavor…first plum, then perhaps (apple? or white grape?) followed by a touch of fresh pear topped off with the slightest hint of rich dark chocolate. Although there is a hint of spice throughout, it’s very soft and pleasant. (I can sense it but not taste it strongly enough to identify it...it almost reminds me of peppercorns, but does not taste peppery)

I had chocolate in the house, so I tried it with the wine…
I tried 2 (60%) darks…one Ghana and a Venezuelan. Neither were overly satisfactory. It overpowered the wine and the chocolate lost it's richness…
I tried malted milk balls…(doesn’t everyone have them handy?) and was very surprised to find a rich caramel finish to the wine…who knew whoppers were good with wine?…
I also tried Pepperidge Farm Milano Mint cookies. They give a very creamy finish…most pleasant.

I’d buy it again…

I do have to get down to meet Carol after the first of the year...so she can give me wine lessons... Laughing

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BobtheDude · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:58 am Post subject:

Good review Pat! I love Whoppers, now I know what to drink next time I get some. Wink

Heh, my brother once found a wine that was indescribably awesome with Twix... I'll have to see if he still remembers what it was.
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CulinaryAlchemist · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:38 am Post subject:

Great Review.... I am gonna have to work on the cookies and candies the next time I do a tasting... Hmmm Whoppers and Zinfandel could be interesting....
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cara1971 · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:31 am Post subject:

Shane - I love that you admitted to eating White Castle - those are good when you are real stressed (or drunk) and I partake occassionally.

OK - Malbec is good with White Castle, In N Out AND Whoppers.......I think this might turn into my favorite wine now! Wink

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ddpie · Elite BakeSpacer Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 8618

Wine.....whoppers.......WC sliders.....I knew I liked you people for some reason Very Happy

Nice review Qui, most excellent on your first time out Wink

You done good girl. Thanks for taste testing all the goodies and giving us some more ideas!

BTW, we can see your reflection in the bottle!