Consulting with winemaker Francisco Puga of Amalaya Winery Randle Johnson brings his vast experience to expand the quality being achieved at this winery and this wine expresses that collaboration. The backdrop of this particular story is set in biodynamic South American viticulture, specifically from the vineyard named Amalaya. The wine is a blend of 75% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Tannant and 5% Syrah grown at an altitude just a few feet higher than a mile up. As long as we are getting geeky with it, 5400-5600-ft elevation to be exact for all of you who think elevation has something to do with how a wine tastes.
A steward who does not know me threw this wine into a mixed case of wines I bought here locally. They did not know that it would be reviewed on the award winning blog Enobytes who just won best wine blog for wine reviews in 2011.
I have to say they made a very good pick. The colors on this wine were very dark like—they should be and the aromas that were offered up after letting it breath in a glass for about twenty minutes were also as they should be. The cherries and citrus zest (orange with a hint of tangerine) aromas included just a hint of vanilla also rounding out the package. The flavors were consistent and playful giving up a big plush mid-palate as the wine finished with soft tannins not usually associated with a wine this youthful, and certainly not usually associated with a wine at this price point.
Do your friends a favor and turn them on to this fantastic find, but make them cook you a great meatloaf, some burgers or a mushroom risotto because all three will be a good match for these flavors. They will certainly owe you a meal if you turn them onto this gem of a wine find. Now back to the wine mines for more excavating, see ya around if I don’t drown. Enjoy!
Rating: Excellent (90) | $14 | 14.5% ABV
Find this wine to buy: Vinquire | WineZap.com
I’ve found some interesting Malbec from Mendoza lately. I’m sure this one will impress like the rest. At $14 it seems like a great deal.
The wine sounds good but I don’t know how to pronounce the name of this wine!
Malbec? Yes please.
Great post I must say. Simple but yet interesting and engaging. Keep up a good work!
I had this wine on New Year’s Eve at a restaurant in NC! It was awesome! Only problem is, I haven’t been able to find it anywhere in Charlotte since then!!! No one sells it! Why is that????
Amy, what is your zip code? I’ll see if I can track it down through the distributor.
my zipcode is 28207.
thanks, that would be awesome!!!
Hey Amy,
For the time being, Fresh Market is the best bet. It is approved as a shelf placement in Harris Teeter stores, so it’s now a matter of getting them to hopefully bring in the wine. With readers like you having an interest, just ask for Amalaya when you are in any Harris Teeter store and they should be able to bring it in for you (or special order it).
If you liked the Amalaya wine you should also try Colome http://www.hess-family.com/colome.html. It is another label in the Hess Family Estates I think you will like. If you do not have any luck in locating the Amalaya, the Hess Collection would like you to email David Shableman (dshabelman at Hesscollection.com) and he will make sure you are taken care of.
Eat well Drink well live well!