2005 Mauricio Lorca Opalo Malbec 14% US price $16/Brazil price $35
Bought this bottle on a whim because the label says no oak and unfiltered, hoping for an opportunity to understand malbec better. The winery is in Lujan de Cujo, but there is no indication of the grapes' origin.
Inky purple, almost black in the glass. Herbaceous aromas, reminiscent of pinot, with a hint of rotten eggs (sulphur) and a medicinal note that Marcia calls iodine. Smooth in the mouth, with predominantly cherry flavor. Good acid/fruit balance but slightly hot for the fruit, with a zinfandel-ish peppery note that I used to associate with malbecs when I first tasted them several years ago, but had since become rare.
Interesting, but not particularly pleasurable.
PS: much better two nights later, but still smells like pinot...