Ascencion Malbec

Description on the bottle:  Our vineyards are located in the Alto Valle Calchaqui, Province of Salta, between 1700 and 2500 meters above sea level.  Some of the highest vineyards in the world and some of Argentina's oldest.  They include several hectares of Malbec imported from France and planted on their own root stocks in the late 1850s, with excellent exposure to sunlight yet a relatively cool micro-climate.  We nurture the vines, working with the natural advantages of our environment and harvest the Malbec grapes entirely by hand.  Their juice is fermented at low temperatures to retain maximum aroma and fruit flavor.  25% is aged in french oak barrels for 9 months and the final blend clarified in the traditional manner.  By combining traditional wine-making with local techniques developed over more than 2,000 years, we have crafted a richly flavored yet elegant Malbec, with a brilliant ruby color and a rounded palate of spicy red cherries, raspberry and subtle vanilla.  Through ready to drink it will cellar very well for another two or three years.

Sarah says:  Oh red wine, it's been awhile since I ventured into red wine territory, and I forgot how hit and miss it can be for me.  I'm trying to decide if I like it or not.  My initial reaction was "whoa, bad", but as I sip on it, it's growing on me. It's not that it's bad, it's just the unfamiliarity of the red that initially hit me.  It definitely has a raspberry taste, and to me, that makes it a bit too sweet and bitter.  It's not a bad choice for a red wine, but it's not the wine for me.

Overall rating:  Thumbs 1/3 way up.

Sarah says:  I've joined the WSJ Wine Club.  This is my first bottle from the club, and sadly, it's a tad disappointing.  I've been pondering joining a club for a few months, and just happened to pick this one, simply because they were having a sale.  I got 15 bottles of wine for $90 ($70 + $20 shipping), not a bad deal!  From this point forward, they will send me 12 bottles every 3 months.  As it is with any club you join, there are pros and cons.

Pros:  

• They'll send me bottles I wouldn't normally have picked out myself, allowing me to expand my tastings.  (because, I'm such a professional, it's time to start expanding)
• Wine appears at my doorstep without me having to go to the store. (in short, I'm lazy)
• Buying in bulk from a club allows me to get better wine at a lower cost than purchasing it in the store. (and I'm cheap)
• I get to taste wines before they've even hit the stores, allowing me to be a first taster. (but no one will know that except for me, so I'm not sure why it's important)
• I get wines that are a higher quality than the typical bottle I'd buy at the store. (I'm such a high quality person, I purchase zero brand name foods, and shop for clothes at garage sales, but only the best wines for me!)
• They send me a whole book with information on each bottle in the case.  An informed taster is a better taster.  (actually, this is quite awesome)

Cons:

• They send me a mix of red and white, I have no say what I get. (why did I get way more red than white?  Hello... I demand to be catered to!)
• I like to seek out wine with fun names, wine club wines are mostly serious. (Remember the bottle of wine I purchased just because it was called Sex?  Yup, fun named wines are just funner to drink)
• They send me 12 bottles, every 3 months, I don't drink that fast, and I fear I will start drinking them just to drink them. (I hear AA calling)
• Although it is a deal, it can still be pricey, since they are sending better quality wines.  I won't keep getting the same price that I got on my first shipment. (yup, I'm cheap, not sure how long this club will last)

Sarah says:  I guess the pro's outweighed the con's, obviously I went for it.  I am enjoying the booklet with the wines, telling me specifically what temp to serve these at, and what foods to go with.  This Malbec is 64 degrees and goes well with a hearty vegetarian dish like a spicy 12-bean chili or eggplant casserole.  (I failed, and had pork chops for dinner.  But Jon cooked, so I'm not complaining!!)  There is also additional information about the Wine, the Grape, and the Estate.  I especially enjoy the ones that include a picture of the winemaker.  I'm not sure why, but for some reason, putting a face to the bottle allows me to enjoy it more.  I think I will continue to purchase wines from the store and rotate them into my tasting, those that intrigue me with fun names make the best blog topics.

What clubs have you joined lately?