Layer Cake 2009 Malbec: Review

One True Vine

Mendoza, Argentina

14.9% abv

$17.99

Layercakewines.com

I have always enjoyed the Layer Cake line up of wines.  They are good in quality and they have a great price tag.  I always like it when a 20 dollar bottle of wine makes you think you are drink one twice that price versus – a 40 dollar bottle making you think you have a 15 dollar grocery store wine.  Now, let’s get one thing straight … I am not saying this is a $40 a bottle quality … I said, ‘makes you think it is so.’ 

I am finally reviewing the 09 here and I probably reviewed the 2010 a year ago – yep I just looked at the posting 3-14-12.  I better get to the store and pick up the 2011 before they are all gone. 

Appearance: rich garnet body with a purplish rim.

Aroma: dark berries with a touch of cocoa; I’m not picking up any spice right now – it is a freshly opened bottle.  Took the dogs for an hour walk and then poured another glass and the aroma has opened.  Still solid dark berries and the usual spice is on the nose now. 

Flavors: juicy blackberries, boysenberries, with a touch of dark cherry (sweet), oak spice on the palate; as always a good earthy feel – like you can taste the soil the grapes were grown in; it is like I can taste the minerals and the composting of the rich soil; dark chocolate like dryness and bitterness on the finish and aftertaste, I am changing the oak spice to a cedar spice

Mouthfeel: nice acidity, nice blackberry and dark chocolate bitterness, dry spice that is reminding more of an oaky spice rather than black pepper.  Now that I am thinking about it … it is more of a cedar spice. Nice rich feel overall for this Malbec.   

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – medium-full

To the Point: as I have always said about this wine, ‘for the money you can’t beat this wine.’  So, go out and buy some.  Just don’t look for the 09 for the 2011 is out on the market – just a good guess on my part. 

I have not bought any wine in a long time so, I need to go and buy some current stuff.  I have been trying to lower what I have in my stock so to say.  I did buy some Michigan wines on a recent Traverse City vacation.  Other than that Jimmy at my favorite wine store, the Fine Wine Source in Livonia Michigan probably has been wondering what happened to me.