Tasting Notes: 2004 El Portillo Malbec

I got my first bad bottle of wine. I don't know if it was corked or what, but it wasn't good.

At first it had no smell, it then gradually opened up with a dusty old smell, like the top of the bookshelf that is breeding dust bunnies like...well...rabbits.

It was lip puckering sour & completely undrinkable. It was a shame to pour it out, but it had to be done. I am a big fan of Malbecs from Argentina, so I will have to try this one again.
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Luiz Horta said…
Well, apparently it is the description of a bouchonée wine, contamined by TCA2,4,6-Trichloroanisole (a smell of rottencardboard that becomes worse with time). If it was brettanomyces it would smell slightly as a barnyard. Brett in a tiny proportion is not unbearable, but corkness is, since you couldn't stand it probably we had the bad luck of a bouchonée wine. You could take it back to the seller and ask for a refund, specially because they can do the same to the importer etc till reach the producer. That's why the number of screwcap followers is growing.
10:22 PM
Collin said…
Well, I just hope it never happens again. :)
2:21 AM
Luiz Horta said…
The percentage is between 3 and 5 percent of wines, including the "big ones" that's wahy everybodyis looking after a substitute to traditional natural cork.
3:39 AM
Collin said…
Ya know, I am beginning to think it wasn't corked and just a really bad wine.

Here are my notes on it from a tasting from a tasting I went to in January...
Finca El Portilla Malbec 2004 Mendoza, Argentina - 1 of 5 - so, so.

PLUS, it had an artificial cork, if I remember correctly. The smell wasn't unbearable just old & dusty, no wet cardboard.

So, is a little Bret considered a bad thing? I really like the barnyard aromas, although I can see how they could be too much.
6:00 AM
Luiz Horta said…
Those damn plastic stops! I hate them. Yes a little brett is a defect, but some like you and me, appreciate a hint of it. I am suprised because El Portillo comes from Salentein, a big and important producer, if not of wonderful jewels at least of drinkable and honest stuff. I will try a El Portillo as soon as I have one at hand, promise.
3:33 AM
Collin said…
yes, please let meknow what you think about it.
2:20 AM
Unknown said…
Hey Collin, long time listener, first time caller. I just tried the portillo malbec 04 and while not v. interesting, it is not sour or undrinkable. so i think you did get a bad apple.

Thx for your page... from a fellow Memphian
5:24 PM
Collin said…
It is such a good bargain I will have to try it again. I also talked to one of the reps with one of the distributors & he really enjoyed it.

I am always willing to drink more wine.

Cheers,
Collin
5:30 PM
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