Punto Final Malbec

Grape: Malbec

Region: Mendoza, Argentina

Vintage: 2008

Price: $11.99

In the glass: Punto Final Malbec is a deep opaque crimson-red color with a deep red core going out into a fine, light purplish-red rim definition with medium viscosity.

On the nose: There are earthy berry notes, with crushed brambleberries, ripe Bing cherries, phenols, licorice root, loganberry fruit, black currant juice, root fruits and rustic minerality.

On the palate: The wine attacks the palate full on with supple, yet concentrated cherry liqueur, liquid black licorice, chewy black currant drops, “hot” spice elements and earthy plummy fruit with underlying minerals. The midpalate is very concentrated with lots of earthy fruit and phenol going into a long ripe finish that again reveals licorice, black cherry liqueur, raspberry coulis and some woodsy notes.

Odds and ends: I keep coming back to these malbecs because they are so drinkable while being a great value when you want that extra oomph in your red wines. Malbec is the rejected grape varietal from Bordeaux in France that found its true calling in Argentina. Punto Final Malbec is a stellar example of this type of wine and a good alternative to more expensive wines from Australia or Italy. We are at the time of year where deep heady red wines are called for. Try Punto Final Malbec with a nicely pan-fried veal chop, just sprinkled with salt and pepper. It should drink well now through 2011.

Gil Lempert-Schwarz’s wine column appears Wednesdays. Write him at P.O. Box 50749, Henderson, NV 89016-0749, or e-mail him at gil@winevegas.com.