Sign Up For Savings.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Mid-Price
Import
Red Wines
About This Wine
In a country dominated by male winemakers, Susana Balbo stands out.
And not just for her gender, but for her incredible skill and experience. Balbo has been making wine since she earned her enology degree in 1981, and has probably produced a wider variety of wines than any other vintner in Argentina.
Wines under Balbo’s Crios label display ripe fruit flavors, excellent balance and concentration, and are meant to be enjoyed in their youth. The label features a series of three connected and overlapping hands, an image representing Balbo and her children, José and Ana. In 2010, Susana passed the winemaking reins for Crios to José, a graduate of U.C. Davis, who brings his own unique, modern style to the wines.
The 2012 Crios Malbec puts the emphasis on fruit flavors, with the French and American oak barrels providing toast and spice accents. José obviously learned his lessons well — at school, and from his talented mother.
About Malbec
A midseason ripener, it can bring very deep color, ample tannin, and a particular plum-like flavor component to add complexity to claret blends.
More About MalbecTasting Notes
Download/Print- Grape Composition:95% Malbec and 5% Bonarda
- Grape Source:Mendoza Growing Region of Argentina
- Aromas & Flavors:Black Cherry, Wild Berry, Toast, Fig, Plum and Spice
- Aging Vessels:French and American Oak Barrels for 9 Months
- When to Drink:Now Through 2015
- Food Pairing Suggestiontri-tip steak, or game dishes.
Expert Ratings
Bright purple. Intensely perfumed scents of black and blue fruits, olive and violet, with sexy Indian spice nuances and a touch of woodsmoke. Broad, sappy, alluringly sweet cassis, boysenberry and floral pastille flavors show superb clarity and power, with cracked pepper and black cardamon notes on the back half. Finishes sappy and long, with resonating spiciness, florality and outstanding persistence. This wine was fermented with 100% whole clusters and was one of the most intriguing bottles that I tasted from the region this year.
Recipes.
-
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
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
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
Slow Cooking Stew A flavorful wine such as Malbec or Merlot calls for a flavorful main dish. This tasty recipe fits the bill deliciously, and makes about 6 servings. And now that the kids are back in school, be aware that it's a meal you... Get The Recipe
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 -
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
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
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
