Wine Corner Review #48: Dona Paula Los Cardos Malbec

Roses, tulips, carnations, bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes. Ah, the sweet flowers of spring! If you're like me, fragrant floral bouquets make you think of another kind of bouquet, namely the delicious nose of a good wine as it is first being uncorked in a clover-strewn meadow picnic. But thistles? Really?? Well, in Spanish, Los Cardos means The Thistles, and they only present a thorny problem if you get up close and personal in the wrong way. Dona Paula, an Argentinian winemaker, has adopted Los Cardos as the symbol for their young, approachable wines, such as the vino under consideration this morning, the Dona Paula Los Cardos Malbec.

The robe of the Dona Paula Los Cardos Malbec is blackberry and raspberry jam. The nose presents mixed berries and currant, with touches of muted black pepper. Plums, blackberries, and a touch of red licorice and spice wash across the palate, finishing nicely with wintergreen. If your looking for something to pair with gyros, hummus with pita, and good Greek potatoes, then this tipple is a fine choice. Website is http://www.donapaula.com/, and the Los Cardos line has its own section, so feel free to investigate. Said investigation can be done at Whole Foods, if you so desire. Find your own bouquet of liquid goodness soon, and remember:

LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR MEDIOCRE FOOD!!!