Oh, the finish... like oxycontin

Tonight's selection:
Wine:  Tilia Malbec, 2011
Origin:  Mendoza, Argentina 
Price:  $12.95
CC score:  5 of 5 =TDF

My darling James bought me this Friday-night companion, and it's another 5/5, and my new fave!  It is really, really lovely.  I think I'm becoming fixated on these gorgeous Malbecs.  And, hey!  I found this guy when I searched this wine!  He's a kindred Wino!  I Liked him!

I was looking for a word to capture the experience and Jon Thorsen beat me to the punch: Velvet.  This is a perfect DW bottle, so smooth!  Very plummy, gentle finish, practically gulpable, I'm not kidding.  The sexual chemistry between this wine and my tastebuds, frankly, is embarrassing.  I don't even have any curse-words to add. 

"Wine comes in at the mouth
And love comes in at the eye;
That's all we shall know for truth
Before we grow old and die.
I lift the glass to my mouth,
I look at you, and I sigh."
-- William Butler Yeats.

If you're Googling porn use a respectable browser fer Christsakes!

Originally titled "Another Andean Sex-Pot" as a nod to the sexual voluptuousness of this gorgeous Malbec, the perverts of the world looking for after-hours, adult satisfaction (most of whom use Explorer, gross) get re-directed to precisely this wino post.  Are ya fucking kidding me?  I'm picturing dudes carrying an extra 40lbs or so, with plaid, department store, elasticized waistband, flannel, cheap, jammy bottoms....  and you wonder why I drink...

The original wino review:

I'm talking major bombshell here.   I'm temped to take away half a point from the perfect-scoring Trivento and give it to this beauty based solely on the parent companies - Trivento being a subsidiary of a frighteningly large wine-giant; and this lovely, ruby, award-winning slut made from organic grapes from a small vinyard.  Still, the Trivento is a shade more delicious.

Tonight's selection:
Wine:  Domaine Jean Bousquet Organic Malbec, 2011
Origin:  Mendoza, Argentina (Tupungato valley, to be precise) 
Price:  $12.95
CC score:  4.5 of 5 = PFG+

It's immediately plummy and velvety, a lovely mouthful with dark, fruity/berry-ness.  I really, really want a smoked gouda or a hunk of pecorino with this glass!  Or sliced avocado, unsalted cashews, peanut butter on a cracker... something with beautiful fatness.  It almost finishes smooth, but then - eek - there's an almost too acrid afterbite.  Almost sullies the experience, but doesn't.  Organic, yet contains sulphites.... hmmm, yeah, one more argument against the exploding "organic" propaganda machine.  Anyhoo, I think it's time I fessed up and came out of the Argentinian closet as a full-blown Malbec lez.  I'm warm for your form if you come from Mendoza, baby.

I want to instagram you forever.

In-store instagram.  I was asked what I thought I was doing.

High Altitude Grapes, High Spirited Sipper

Yesterday's selection:
Wine:  Trivento Fair Trade Malbec, 2011
Origin:  Mendoza region, Argentina
Price:  $12.95
CC score:  5 of 5 =TDF

Welp, I think I found my new fave red, and possibly the ultimate Wino wine.  It strikes the perfect blend of flavour vs. price, and it's a fairly traded product!  Ya...  I gave her a 5.

I looked up the winery, as I do, and read that it's part of the Walmarty Concha y Toro group.  Dismayed by this fact as, "Concha y Toro aims to be a leading global branded wine company" says their website (which brings up ethical questions for me....  but I'm gonna let it slide today, and swallow that FairTrade designation as truth and move on).

This wine is young, true, but it is smooth, silky, fruity, dry and just slides right down.  So drinkable, so affordable, it is a perfect easy-to-drink, everyday wine.  Good with a grilled mammal, sharp cheese, pringles or alone.  A+, Trivento, you're a legend.

Damn, you fine.

Million dollar ideas

Tonight's selection:
Wine:  Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, 2011
Origin:  Colchagua Valley, Chile
Price:  $9.95
CC score:  4 of 5 = PFG
Jack's score:  4 of 5 = PFG
 
Before we even opened this lovely bottle of wine, Jess (now known as Jack) and I had consumed the following:  pint of beer each (I, a German blonde; she, Keith's) with a Glenfiddich side, neat; Hendrick's gin-n-tonics; vodka tonics; and cognacs...  Apparently we morphed into affluent European gadabouts who got funnier and more intelligent as the night went on.  We finished the evening with this lovely Cab for a night-cap (or coffin-nail) as we discussed rape..  and ukeleles. 

I wish I could opine about the body and complexity of this red.  I wish I could describe the prominent flavours and obvious notes on the nose.  I wish I could tell you I remember specifics about experiencing this wine other than "This is really fucking nice."  "Yeah, it is."
But I can at least share the one thing that made us laugh the most by the time the wine was opened:

Smudge the Judge