Don Cristobal “1492″ Malbec 2011, $5-$6: This baby is five bucks at Merchant’s Fine Wine in Dearborn and I’m betting similarly priced at many other establishments. The brand has been around a while — not back to 1492! — but at least in modern wine times. The full name of the winery is Bodega Don Cristobal, and it was founded in 1999 by an Argentina businessman. Cristobal is a large, modern winery outfitted with state of the art technology. And the “1492″ name? The Cristobal vineyards are named La Nina, La Pinta, La Santa Maria and El Remanso. The Malbec, which should cost you between five and six dollars, has a cork and lots of dark red berry flavors and good balance to make it appealing. Too often, inexpensive wines can be very thin and acidic — if they are dry — or sweet and flabby. This one is the real deal. The main grape is Malbec, with two other varieties blended in. It’s made to be an “everyday” wine. Ask your wine merchant about “1492.”
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