2006 Bodegas Poesia "Clos des Andes" Malbec Mendoza (Elsewhere $30)

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2006 Clos des Andes is 100% Malbec sourced from an 80-year-old vineyard in Lujan de Cuyo and aged for 12 months in 50% new French oak. Dark ruby/purple in color, it offers up an alluring bouquet of pain grille, pencil lead, spice box, and black cherry. This leads to a wine with excellent density, layered fruit, and spicy black fruit flavors nicely concealing enough structure for 2-3 years of further development. This rich, well-balanced effort will be at its best from 2010 to 2019." (12/08) 90-92 points Stephen Tanzer: "Bright ruby-red. Black fruits and licorice on the nose; a bit inkier and less expressive than the basic Clos des Andes. Then denser and deeper but less pliant in the mouth, with sneaky sweetness nonetheless, as well as a strong impression of minerality. Boasts more energy, definition and structure than the basic cuvee and will require longer to open. There's less easy sweetness here but the tannins are suave and the finishing flavors mount impressively." (Jan/Feb 2009) According to the Wine Spectator: "Bright notes of plum skin and blackberry are accented by hints of game. Slightly grippy tannins frame the finish, which lingers with an aftertaste of melted licorice. Malbec. Drink now."