Comments on: 2003 Fuerza Malbec

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:31:28 +0000

I could not disagree with Danny’s rating any more. What a fantastic flavor for only $3.99. This Fuerza 2003 Malbec is easily comparable to $15. wines I have tasted. The Temprenillo is almost as delicious. Both have a very nice finish with no bitterness. Not for people who do not appreciate bolder wines.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:46:25 +0000

I’ve never been to Mendoza, but I’ve had similar experiences in Italy and France. Seems like a lot of the “good” cheap wine never leaves because it’s consumed so quickly by the discerning locals. I’ve heard Spain is the same way too. Too bad Napa and Santa Barbara don’t really have the capacity to make cheap wine.

By: jason

jason — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:43:58 +0000

@Jeff Could be, ala Pinot Noir. My visit to Mendoza suggested there was plenty of good wines to be had in the $6 range, guess they are keeping all that good stuff for themselves!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:39:29 +0000

The Layer Cake was only 12$ in Seattle; I’ve had the Pascual Toro (it’s 8$ at Costco by me) and I liked it a lot, but the Layer Cake was something else. It was really good. I think malbec is one of the varietals that might just be outside the 5$ dollar window of “decency.”

By: jason

jason — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:30:30 +0000

@Jeff That Layer Cake was pricey, like $15 if I remember. For that price there are better options outside of Trader Joe's like this Pascual Toso . As for the La Boca I've had a few bottles and it doesn't get it done for me either. Same for the Terrenal which I never reviewed. Still waiting on that nice $5 bottle TJ's!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:20:34 +0000

For a while they had one from a California “negociant” (Layer Cake), that was really good. They don’t seem to have it now though. You might be able to find it elsewhere. Someone told me that Gascon is good, which is 9$. The La Boca Malbec is awful (even though it’s only $2.99). http://jeffswineblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/2007-layer-cake-malbec.html

By: jason

jason — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:41:05 +0000

@Jeff Thanks for the heads up on this Malbec as I surely would have grabbed it had you and Danny not warned me away. Still dreaming of the day Trader Joe’s gets a nice Malbec in stock!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:38:47 +0000

Glad to know that you read my review…it’s funny because I’ve read your site before too! This wine was pretty bad. I did hear from a comment on my blog that there is apparently a Rioja from Fuerza that isn’t half bad. I haven’t seen it in SoCal though. The white (http://jeffswineblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/2007-fuerza-blancos.html) was pretty decent for 4$.