Tilia, Malbec, 2009

White or Red: Red
Grape(s): Malbec
Origin: Argentina - Mendoza
Vintage: 2009
Price: $8.00

Overall:
I love Guinness.  People always say "that stuff is so heavy- it's looks like you're drinking a meal."  Well, if you knew better, you'd know that Guinness is one of the least caloric beers that exists- that's why you can drink 5 and not be burping or bloated afterwards.  What have we learned?  Looks can be deceiving.

Pour the Tilia in the glass and you see this inky, dark purple nectar- visually intriguing.  I quipped, "It's as thick as pigs' blood".  But don't be fooled- Tilia is fruit forward, light and really well balanced.  It is surprisingly soft, clean and refined despite being from a place on earth that's typically not. Tilia is anchored in deep dark fruit- jumbo ripe blackberries to be precise.  Literally, it's the perfect compliment to a Gaucho's meat-heavy dinner.

Smell it and you get a sweet, black licorice scent on top of a smokey fire in the distance.

Their mission statement conveys the overarching goal of pleasing the locals-they reckon that if it is good enough for them, it's good enough for you and me.  I'm no Gaucho but for 8 bucks I totally agree.

Purchased at Bacchus - Bway & 71st.