2009 Dona Paula Estate Mendoza, Argentina Malbec-Syrah

About This Wine

Doña Paula is very particular about its vineyard sites.

It’s for that reason that Doña Paula has emerged as one of the quality leaders in Argentine winemaking. This is particularly true when it comes to that country’s famed “high-altitude vineyards.”

For its 2009 Malbec-Syrah, Doña Paula utilized estate grown grapes from the Mendoza region’s Uco Valley. Finca Alluvia is in Gualtallary, which is more than 4,400 feet above sea level. Finca Los Indios is in Altamira, about 700 feet lower — but still quite high in the world of winegrape vineyards. Sustainable agriculture practices also contribute to the quality of the finished wine.

The blend selected by the Doña Paula winemaker for 2009 was 60 percent Malbec and 40 percent Syrah, aged in a mix of first-, second- and third-use French oak barrels. “This is a very harmonious and balanced wine,” he says, “with round tannins and a long finish.” Our very particular tasting panel agrees.

About Red Blend

Tasting Notes

• Grape Composition:60% Malbec and 40% Syrah
• Grape Source:Uco Valley Area of Mendoza, Argentina
• Aromas & Flavors:Black Cherry, Blackberry, Plum, Pepper & Toasty Oak
• Aging Vessels:First-, Second- and Third-Use French Oak Barriques for 10 Months
• When to Drink:Now Through 2015
• Food Pairing Suggestionlamb meatballs, or prime rib au jus.

Member Ratings

Recipes.

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  Pinot Noir Sauce Try this flavorful sauce over lamb or prime rib, and serve with Pinot Noir, Malbec or a red blend... Get The Recipe
  

  Garlic Chicken Skewers Here's a low-fat recipe that's loaded with flavor. It serves 4, and matches beautifully with Sangiovese or... Get The Recipe
  

  Pork Tenderloin With Tart Cherry Port And Caraway Sauce This delicious recipe from Sonoma County's J. Fritz Winery matches beautifully with almost any red wine. It makes 4 to 6 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  French Lamb Shank Stew With White Beans This recipe, from "The Mauna Loa Macadamia Cooking Treasury," matches wonderfully with Malbec, Merlot Sangiovese or Rhone red blends. It serves 6... Get The Recipe
  

  Maytag Bleu T Bone Steaks We decided to tap the "Born to Grill" cookbook for this amazingly flavorful recipe for the summer. It serves 4. Get The Recipe
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  Santa Maria Style Beef Grill Since so many wines that we feature come from California's Central Coast, we thought it would be nice to share a uniquely-Central Coast recipe. It makes 6 servings... Get The Recipe
  

  Smoked Salmon Penne Pasta In a world of "anything goes" food-and-wine pairing, we're always on the lookout for recipes that match well with either white or red wines. This is one such recipe, and it makes two servings... Get The Recipe
  

  Butternut Squash Soup From Executive Chef Linda Kittler of Sonoma County's Valley of the Moon Winery comes this delicious recipe that pairs perfectly with Syrah/Shiraz, as well as various red blends. It serves 10. Get The Recipe
  

  Mustard Crusted Rack Of Lamb Try this tasty recipe, which serves 4 or more, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or a red blend containing any of the aforementioned varieties... Get The Recipe
  

  Pan Fried Lamb Chops This recipe, which makes 4 servings, features flavors that can be enjoyed with virtually any red wine. Turn it into a complete meal with a side dish jasmine rice. Get The Recipe
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  Tuscan Style Roasted Game Hens If you're looking for a change from turkey or ham this holiday season, try this easy-to-prepare dish that matches well with both white and red wines. It serves 6... Get The Recipe
  

  Boneless Leg Of Lamb This recipe, developed by the late James Beard, matches beautifully with Shiraz (a.k.a. Syrah), Shiraz/Cabernet blends and Merlot. It serves 6-8... Get The Recipe
  

  Quick And Easy Fagole And Escarole We tried this recipe and loved it - for three reasons: 1. it tastes great; 2. it's good for you; and 3. it matches beautifully with either white or red wine! We suggest serving it with French or Italian bread... Get The Recipe
  

  Tomato Pesto Pasta A wonderful match with Cabernet Sauvignon, this recipe helps bring out the fruitful quality of the wine. It also matches nicely with other red wines, and serves 4. Get The Recipe
  

  Turkey Empanadas These tasty turnovers or hot pockets match well with Syrah, Italian red wines, or white wines that have not been over-exposed to oak. This recipe makes 10 empanadas. Get The Recipe
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  Garden Tomato Pasta With Wine And Basil Try this tasty recipe with either featured red wine selection with Syrah/Shiraz, Zinfandel or red blends. It makes 8 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Moroccan Lamb Tangine Try this tasty recipe, which makes 6 servings, with Shiraz or a red blend. MOROCCAN LAMB TANGINE Ingredients... Get The Recipe
  

  Pork Chops With Blueberry Sauce This recipe makes 4 servings, and matches wonderfully with Syrah/Shiraz, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Merlot and red blends... Get The Recipe
  

  Beef Rib Eye With Sweet Onion Topping This dish pairs beautifully with Syrah (a.k.a. Shiraz), as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and red blends. This recipe makes 4 servings Get The Recipe