Idyllwild (California) Malbec 2002
An interesting one this: a Californian Malbec (unusual in itself), bottled in Germany by Zimmerman-Graeff, Mosel producer of good supermarket bottlings like the Fire Mountain Riesling. Now I have no idea of the technicalities of how these Lodi grapes end up on the Co-op’s shelves via the Mosel Valley, and the idea seems absolutely crazy, but the stuff in the bottle is a very good drop of wine. Bottled under screwcap, the nose has very nice fruit; crushed cranberry and blackberry, with aromatic notes of Morello cherry and tiny floral nuances. On the palate it is medium bodied and maybe lacks a little of Argentinean Malbec’s typical density, but it more than compensates with bold, chewy fruit, a fine layering of tannin, and a grippy edge of plumskin acidity. It is really quite harmonious and has good length, staying very fruity and polished. Weird, but kind of wonderful at only £4.49. Co-op.
