Ricardo Santos Malbec 2005

Ricardo Santos 2005 Malbec is from the single vineyard La Madras, near Mendoza, on the Eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains in Argentina. Grapes are harvested and selected by hand, gently pressed, and only the first pressed juice used. The wine is then aged in French and American oak for six months. The 2005 Malbec is striking deep brilliant purple color. The nose is ripe and full, reminiscent of dark cherries, plums, and chocolate with undertones of loam and earth. In the mouth, the wine displays a profound core of ripe, blackberry jam fruit, lengthening into a sophisticated weighty finish coupled with an elegant silkiness. What makes this Malbec so intriguing are the soft, fine tannins on the finish that make it velvety and drinkable--even as a young wine.