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Catena 2015 Malbec
Winery: Catena
Grape(s): 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Year: 2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price: 15-20

Review:
Equal parts blueberry and blackberry blend with expressions of floral earth and vanilla on the nose. Rich, dark flavors of blueberries and bramble berries coalesce around notes of pepper, earth, and vanilla on the palate. Lush fruit is balanced by mouth-filling tannins, making this a wine to open with a hearty chili.
Rating: 90

La Playa 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery: La Playa
Grape(s): Cabernet
Region: Chile
Year: 2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price: 5-10

Review:
Blackberries, currants, rose petal, and spice come together on the nose. A balance of earthy, herbaceous, and dark fruit flavors take shape on the palate. The tannins are plush but the fruit is reserved making it a good match for a homemade, mild bean and cheese burrito.
Rating: 89

Trivento 2015 Malbec
Winery: Trivento
Grape(s): 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Year: 2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price: 5-10

Review:
Plums and cherries come together with elements of earth and chocolate on the nose. Rich fruit envelops the palate, with strawberry, blackberry, and cherry leading the way, as earth, chocolate and vanilla play in the background. Not the bruiting, tannic wine that many Malbecs can be. This is a lighter, less earthy and quite tasty take.
Rating: 90