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StateWays | www.stateways.com | March/April 2017 45 RETAILER WINE SELECTIONS — MALBECS pure concentration of blueberry, blackberry and purple plum. Long finish that screams for Argentine beef. $26 (92) Black Cabra Malbec 2016. Impressive red from Jean-Claude Berrouet, formerly of Chateau Petrus in Pomerol. Dark ruby red, this is a soft and silky Malbec loaded with aromas of blackberries and violets, with subtle notes of pepper and cloves. Black cherries and plums fill the medium-to-full-bodied palate, with hints of cedar and vanilla on the long finish. $15 (92) Los Poetas 2014 (Mendoza, Argentina). Bold and powerful flavors of red currant, cran- berry and rich raspberry are complemented by a liberal use of oak. The 42% Malbec shines through as the centerpiece, but the 27% Cab- ernet, 22% Tempramillo and 9% Syrah add complexity and depth. $18 (92) 2014 Chakana Malbec (Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina). The nose is ripe and fruit-driven with aromas of dark red fruit and plums. Balanced minerality and a touch of spice box with well integrated oak. The pal- ate is juicy fresh and has good balance with a somewhat fleshy finish. $26.99 (92) 2014 Pigmentum Malbec (Cahors, France). Great notes of dark berries on the nose. Almost black in color in the glass. This starts out soft upfront then develops to a mild blackcurrant about mid pallet. The presence of a mild earthiness and tannins are very evident in this wine and help the finish linger. Great with a rich fatty ribeye steak. $14 (92) Catena Malbec 2013 (Mendoza, Argen- tina). Aroma of dark fruits, dark cherry and berries. Flavors run dark cherry, blackberry and spice. Nice full tannins with long finish. $18.99 (92) Bodega Rolland Mariflor Malbec 2012 (Mendoza, Argentina). Winemaker Michel Rol- land has created a dense and polished Malbec with aromas of plum and blueberries. Deep ruby in color, with flavors of licorice, berry and dark chocolate leading to powerful tannins and a long lasting finish. $27.99 (92) Raffy Pardus Tupungato Malbec 2012 (Argentina). Made from 50-year-old ungrafted vines, this Malbec has a refined character exhib- iting bright bing cherry and wild raspberry fruits. Anise and cocoa are supporting flavors that lin- ger on the elegant, fine-grained finish. $22.49 (92) Punto Final Reserva Malbec 2013. "The Final Point" is the next showstopper Malbec you need to try. Their entry into the market, Punto Final, is wonderful as it is, but the extra aging (12 months in 225-L. Barriques) makes a world of difference. The perfect balance be- tween bold and finesse, Punto Final Reserva Malbec is wor th the jump to this price point and will make you want to come back for more. $21.99 (92) Cruz Alta Malbec Grand Reserve 2013 (Mendoza, Argentina). Full-bodied and not lacking in either power or density, this wine has a black color with a slight shade of red to it. The smooth texture and lengthy finish har- ness the blueberry, raspberry and oak-baking spice flavors very well. $16 Four Stars (91) Cruz Alta Malbec Reserve 2015 (Men- doza, Argentina). Bright red plum and black raspberries balanced by some surprising new oak definition from this Malbec. The wine is luscious and well balanced but still focuses on the black fruit and tannic power. $14 (91) Finca Flichman Malbec Reserva 2015 (Mendoza, Argentina). Deep red color, a me- dium-plus bodied Malbec that has aromas and flavors of red plumb, dark raspberry, and cherry. The intense mouthfeel and firm tannins provides a long complex finish. $14 (91) Mascota Vineyards La Moascota Mal- bec 2014 (Mendoza, Argentina). The pure fruit character and smooth texture make this a standout, bold, approachable Malbec. Rasp- berry, strawberry and a slight hint of chocolate combined with the smooth mouthfeel make this a signature Mendoza Malbec. $16 (91) Solar de Orfila Malbec Oak 2013 (Men- doza, Argentina). Rich and elegant. Very full-bodied. Six months in French oak imparts hints of vanilla. Beautifully fruit-forward with plum blackberry, and violet notes. $21.99 (91) Pietro Marini Malbec 2013. On first glance you might expect a powerful, full-bod- ied Malbec, but in a good way you would be mistaken. A wonderful nose precedes a fruit-forward, medium-bodied wine that has a shor ter finish than you would expect due to stainless steel aging. The Malbec grape in its purest form, Pietro Marini Malbec will be something you can share with all walks of wine life and know it will impress. $15.99 (91) Finca Decero Remolinos Vineyard Mal- bec 2014 (Mendoza, Argentina). This is a lighter Malbec with fresh violet aromas. Fla- vors include raisin, currant and blackberries, with well-integrated tannins leading to a nice long finish with just a hint of pepper. $17.99 (91) Bousquet Cameleon Malbec 2015 (Ar- gentina). Organic, sourced from high-elevation vineyards in Tupungato. Aromas of red berries with sweet spice. Elegant in style, with bright acidity and packed with ripe, concentrated fruit flavors with notes of tobacco and black pep- per. Aged six months in French and American oak. 15 (91) Salentein Reserve Malbec 2015 (Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina). First, the aroma, it is intense and complex with out- standing perfumes of red fruits, black ber- ries, as well as delicate floral notes. On the palette, the wine is sweet and mild. This gem is fruity and fresh, with good intensity and a lingering finish. $19.99 (91) Pampas des Sur Tenacious Reserva 2015 (Mendoza, Argentina). Fresh and ener- getic on the nose, with notes of dark Cherries and plum. This liveliness carries over to the palate with a fruit-forward burst of raspber- ries followed by some oak influence not evi- dent in the aromatics. A hint of dark chocolate and medium-plus body rounds out the wine. $13 (90) Chateau La Graves Cahors 2014 (France). Rustic, dark and mineral-driven Mal- bec. This wine possesses a wonderful sense of place, offering forest berries, fennel, violets and scorched earth. $19.99