Croix du Mayne Cahors - 2007 - $11

David: 85% malbec, 15% merlot. Purple in color, typical of malbec. Lovely nose of dark fruit, loamy soil, smoke, violets and spice box. Even a little barnyard mulchiness. Chewy, full bodied sour cherry (sourness lessens with air) on the palate with good acidity. Moderate tannins. Good structure. A fine malbec from Cohors.
Score 4.3/5

Clos la Coutale Cohors 2007 - $15

80% Malbec and 20% Merlot from the Cohors region of France.

David: Lovely dark purple color. Gorgeous big nose (its best feature) of dark fruit, plums, berries, spice box, sage, soil, leather and some floral notes. Medium bodied, moderate acidity. Velvety texture with a little spice kick. Not quite as fruity or expressive on the mid-palate as the nose would suggest but tasty enough. Moderate tannins. A little heat but OK. Ends on blueberries but finish is a little quick. Overall, quite nice.
Score 4.1/5