2008 - Trapiche, Malbec Vina Jorge Miralles Single Vineyard

The 2008 Malbec Single Vineyard Vina Jorge Miralles also spent 18 months in new French oak. Succulent, layered, and opulent, this bombshell of a wine will also evolve for another 5-6 years and drink well through 2028. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this beauty. . Importer: Frederick Wildman & Sons, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700

(from ten-year-old vines; 15% alcohol): Bright red-ruby. Sweet plum, cassis, blackberry and chocolatey oak on the nose; smells like a Penfolds wine. Suave and vinous on the palate, with sound acidity energizing the plush flavors of cassis, blackberry, dark chocolate and spices. The strong berry and sexy oak flavors linger impressively, and the fine tannins coat the front teeth. (Incidentally, my first bottle of this wine was more herbal and did not match this one for density or depth of flavor.)