...a bottle of wine and thou

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A glass of red wine a day is an expensive prescription - more than most pills. In order to keep daily table wine affordable, I am on a quest to discover the best $10 wines. I'm blogging my reviews so I won't stare blankly at bottles in the store, wondering if this is the one I loved or the one I loathed.

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Saturday, December 04, 2004

Funky Llama Malbec 2003

Price: around $8
Type: Malbec
Cork: Adorable yellow plastic with the word "Funky" and a picture of a llama
Rating: 6

I'm not sure Funky Llama vineyards are still in production. According to their label, they should have a website up at www.funkyllama.com, but that just got me a "no such address" error. A google search turned up half a dozen people who referenced the wine on their websites, but no one selling it. Funky Llama is either hiding from the world of technology or has gone the way of the Funky Dodo.

If they're gone, it's not a major loss for humanity. This is a solid, drinkable wine, but by no means remarkable. I certainly wouldn't turn down a glass if offered, but it's not worth spending an afternoon scouring your local wine stores.

Since this is the first Malbec wine I've known I was drinking, I feel safe in saying I'll certainly try Malbec's again. The core flavor seems very pleasant. I'm docking this example for details. First, it has a very faint aroma. Once drunk, I find it a little watery on the tongue. The finish is a shade more bitter than I like. It might be better with some red meat, but that wasn't on my dinner plate tonight.

Again, it isn't a BAD wine, just unremarkable. I'll certainly finish the bottle over the next couple nights, but unless I'm dying for another cute cork, I'll move on to other Malbec's.

My husband says he finds it rather nice. He ranks it a 7.

posted by Chris Rachael Oseland at 11:10 PM

10 comment(s):

  • Great wine. Good value and a real pleaser in all varitials.
    I rate it an 8.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:45 PM  

  • Hey, I just found some in my local wine shop and it is as you describe it. Your blog was the second or third choice on Yahoo when I searched for "Funky Llama"

    By Blogger n/a, at 10:39 PM  

  • I don't know who makes it, but it's one of the better $5 bottles I've ever had ... and it does tricks! Open it up and it smells and tastes like an Argentine Malbec ... the next night, it smelled and tasted like a French Cahors (same grape, different style). Neat.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:19 AM  

  • I did some research..Funky Llama is in it's fourth vintage and is available nationwide! Techincal problems and changes in ownership of the domain name have been the reason for no website, according to the owner of the brand-Tastings Import Company. I just found it in Pennsylvania and have previously seen it in Chicago and Ohio. Eight varietals are relased including new 187s. I think Ill become a loyal follower...

    By Blogger Becca Powelson, at 7:48 PM  

  • This is the best $5.99 bottle of wine I've had. I'd recommend to anyone who would enjoy a spicier, medium bodied red wine.
    It is widely available at Giant Eagle stores in Ohio, but I have not seen it anywhere else. The 2005 vintage is out now and is almost as good as the 2003 vintage.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:07 PM  

  • I found this by the case(12) for $2.50 a bottle. Wow! What a value...I'm no wine guy (I'm a Beer snob), but this is some tasty stuff for the bucks.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:41 PM  

  • Where can I find this wine at these prices mentioned?

    By Blogger Red Plaid Primitives, at 9:22 PM  

  • Funny thing, I'm drinking some now looking for their web site!! In New Hampshire I've been buying it at the local Market Basket for about $7 a bottle.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:30 PM  

  • I just saw some bottles at a Wine and Spirits Store in Millvale (Pittsburgh), PA.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:21 PM  

  • Just wanted to say you can find Funky Llama in just about every Wine & Spirits store in Pennsylvania. I have also seen it it in Ohio. So good luck to those looking it is good stuff for the price. The Llama got me through many late college nights.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:08 AM  

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