Category Archives: Malbec

RECOMMENDED: Two from Murrieta’s Well. The Whip, 2011 white blend; The Spur, 2009 red blend. Around $15.

Posted on July 7, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

The Murrieta’s Well winery name is based on Old West history: Joaquin Murrieta, a.k.a. “Zorro,” would steal horses from northern California and run them down into Sonoma or Mexico, watering them from the artesian well on the property en route. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Food, Gewurztraminer, Malbec, Merlot, Orange Muscat, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Red Blend, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Tastings, Viognier, White Blend | Leave a comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 2009 Gen5 Cabernet Sauvignon (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec), Lodi, CA. 13.9%, $12.

Posted on May 15, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

If you’re looking for a big, opaque, nearly-purple California Cab with big bubbles and the heady aroma of oak, cola, and deep dark fruits, this isn’t it. The Gen5 isn’t a typical Cab at all. That said, every once in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot | 4 Comments

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: elements by Artesa, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, AND elements 2006 Red Wine.

Posted on February 3, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: elements by Artesa, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petite Verdot and 1% Malbec), 62% Napa County, 38% Sonoma County. 14.4% ABV. Around $17 but available for as little as $12.99. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Graciano, Grenache/Garnacha, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Red Blend, Tempranillo | 1 Comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Sterling Vintner’s Collection 2009 Meritage. Central Coast, CA. 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot. $12.99. 13.5% ABV.

Posted on December 9, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Delicious! Oak, vanilla, and cinnamon. A first impression of brown sugar and jam gave way to a dry, beautiful wine. This is a wonderful, versatile everyday (i.e. inexpensive) blend that’s good enough for a dinner party. Delicious and classy, made … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Red Blend | Leave a comment

RECOMMENDED: 2009 William Knuttel Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County. 13.9% ABV. $19.99.

Posted on December 9, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Delicious, smooth, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. It was blended with Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, which explains why it is more of a Bordeaux-style red than a fruit bomb. It’s big but not in-your-face, and beautifully aromatic. It hasn’t been super-easy to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot | 2 Comments

WINE TASTING. Two strong recommendations, lots of education.

Posted on December 6, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

On November 19, we attended a wine tasting hosted by Cuvée, Ocala’s wine bar and bistro (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). The wines were presented by Tom Tiley, wine consultant with Coastal Wine & Spirits. Tom’s background includes 15 years as a Level … Continue reading →

Posted in Argentina, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, France, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Red Blend, Restaurants, Sauvignon Blanc, Tastings, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

RECOMMENDED: Project Paso 2010 Red Blend, Don Sebastiani & Sons, Paso Robles. 22% Grenache, 17% Petite Sirah, 16% Syrah, 15% Merlot, 9% Zinfandel, 8% Tempranillo, 7% Malbec, 4% Barbera, 2% Touriga Nacional. 13.8% ABV. $14, available for less than $10.

Posted on November 30, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Y’know how red blends with Cabernet Sauvignon are dominated by the Cab most of the time? That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s just the way it is. I mean, if Robin Williams comes to your party, guess who’s going … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbera, California, Grenache/Garnacha, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Red Blend, Syrah/Shiraz, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

WINE TASTING! 24 wines sampled, 8 recommendations.

Posted on September 27, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Prices are the retail price at the tasting venue, our local ABC store, unless otherwise noted. This time, I focused mostly on trying unusual varietals, as well as a slight emphasis on Pinot Noir, a varietal I’ve found to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Italy, Malbec, Merlot, Moscato/Muscat, Petit Verdot, Red Blend, Spain, Tastings, Tempranillo, Viognier | 1 Comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: J. Lohr Estates, 2008 Los Osos Merlot, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, CA. $11.99, available for as little as $10.95. (81% Merlot, 9% Petite Sirah, 7% Malbec, 2% Syrah.)

Posted on September 12, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

This is by far the best Merlot we’ve ever tasted at this price, and it’s right up there at the top of the list of all the Merlots I’ve tasted to date. This dark ruby-colored wine has a rich aroma … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Red Blend, Syrah/Shiraz | Leave a comment

DID YOU KNOW … About Shipping Wine in the Summer

Posted on September 10, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Once this summer, a shipment of six bottles of red wine arrived at our doorstep, and the heat was positively radiating from the box even before we opened it. I feared the whole shipment would be ruined, and promptly donned … Continue reading →

Posted in Argentina, Cabernet Franc, California, Chianti, Italy, Malbec, Spain, Tempranillo, Tips | 6 Comments