star rating: Four Stars (86-91)

Catena Malbec 2012

91
Catena
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: Argentina
Appellation: Mendoza
Retail Price: $23

Tasting Notes: This malbec is rich and silky, with bold, dark fruit. The finish has a hint of leather and dark chocolate with a long, lingering finish. This wine definitely highlights the varietal beauty of malbec.
Catena Malbec 2012

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Cafetin ‘tos Malbec 2008

89
Cafetin ‘tos
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2008
Country of Origin: Argentina
Appellation: Mendoza
Retail Price: $28

Tasting Notes: This is a nod to the classic coffee bars of Buenos Aires, and the spirit of creativity and independence that typifies their winemaking art. Young vines, aged 12 months in oak yield a softer, easy drinking malbec. Beautiful color, black fruit aromas, and a subtle sense of spice, lead to a smooth finish. Great easy-drinking wine for every day.
Cafetin ‘tos Malbec 2008

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Bousquet Malbec 2013

87
Bousquet
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: Argentina
Appellation: Tupungato
Retail Price: $13

Tasting Notes: Purple color. Dark fruit, blackberry aroma. Plum, cherry, spice flavors. Moderately firm tannins. Long finish.
Bousquet Malbec 2013

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Bodega Norton Malbec 2013

88
Bodega Norton
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: Argentina
Appellation: Lujan de Cuyo
Retail Price: $8

Tasting Notes: Plenty of plums, strawberries, black fruit and currants. Easy-to-drink and matches well with turkey burgers and veggie-topped pizzas.
Bodega Norton Malbec 2013

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Ben Marco “Expressivo” Malbec Blend 2011

88
Ben Marco
Fanciful Name: Expressivo
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: Argentina
Appellation: Mendoza
Retail Price: $30

Tasting Notes: Aromas of sweet vanilla, cherry liqueur, cedar and toast; mouth-filling flavors mirroring nose, full and round with dusty, woodsy tannins.
Ben Marco “Expressivo” Malbec Blend 2011

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Achaval Ferrer Malbec

91
Achaval Ferrer
Varietal: Malbec
Country of Origin: Argentina
Appellation: Mendoza
Retail Price: $30

Tasting Notes: Big, bold and flavorful—the kind of wine that made Argentine malbec so popular.
Achaval Ferrer Malbec

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Luna d’Or Moscato Frizzante

90
Luna d’Or
Varietal: Moscato
Appellation: Veneto
Retail Price: $10

Tasting Notes: A fizzy bright floral wine with generous notes of apple blossom, tangerine and peach accompanied by a slight sweetness. It all fits in pleasantly and the wine feels focused yet easy; charming mouth feel helps round everything out.
Luna d’Or Moscato Frizzante

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Terres de Muscat 2013

90
Terres
Varietal: Muscat
Vintage: 2013
Appellation: Muscat de St Jean de Minervois
Retail Price: $12

Tasting Notes: This bright, golden Muscat has rich, white flower aromas and tastes of apricot, fig and mango. The smooth texture and structure combined with the dried fruit note make this dessert wine versatile and balanced.
Terres de Muscat 2013

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Poquito Valencia 2015

90
Poquito
Varietal: Moscato
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: Spain
Retail Price: $9

Tasting Notes: It doesn’t get any cuter than this! Moscatel de Alejandria from Valencia, Spain, all packaged in a soda pop bottle with a metal cap. Delicate floral, apricots and pears, super refreshing and just 5% alcohol. Great over ice.
Poquito Valencia 2015

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St. Supery Moscato 2014

90
St. Supery
Varietal: Moscato
Vintage: 2014
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $23

Tasting Notes: This wine presents with brilliant pale yellows and youthful hints of green. Aromas of mandarin and peach blossom dominate, with notes of marmalade and orange zest. Flavors explode with a fruit basket of rich, exotic peach and nectarine with a citrus undercurrent and orange peel on the finish. Enjoy this bright, opulent, sweet wine.
St. Supery Moscato 2014

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Robert Hall Orange Muscat 2014

90
Robert Hall Orange
Varietal: Muscat
Vintage: 2014
Appellation: California
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: An energetic and bright wine that captures the essence of sweet and refreshing. The floral notes and gentle mandarin orange pop of fruit, combined with the vibrant acidity and the refreshing finish, make this the perfect first-course summer-meal wine.
Robert Hall Orange Muscat 2014

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14 Hands Moscato 2013

90
14 Hands
Varietal: Moscato
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: United States
Appellation: Washington State
Retail Price: $10

Tasting Notes: Nice beginner Muscat. Not overly cloying — brimming with vibrant hints of orange blossoms.
14 Hands Moscato 2013

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