Luigi Bosca Gala 1 Mendoza 2003

My father gave me this nice bottle as a gift. The Luigi Bosca Gala 1 2003, from Mendoza, is a blend of 85% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot, and 5% Tannat.

Sight: Deep purple core, purple rim. Looks extracted but not 'syrupy'.

Nose: Sweet blackberry, jammy blueberry, and other layers of ripe berry fruit, with the tell-tale Malbec varietal aroma. A touch of licorice, and perhaps, too, a minimal touch of oak.

Taste: Somewhat persistent tannins, good acidity, a bit bitter at the end. Not very fruity in taste, chocolaty.

Overall: Obviously restrained, this wine is not over-ripe, or over-oaked, or over-extracted, which is great. The aromas are rich and the wine manages to reign in some of the power in favor of elegance. It would benefit from a few more years in the bottle.