Plenty of smoky oak on the nose, which leads to a mildly lactic influence on the palate. Other than that minor flaw, the wine settles to show resiny black fruit, firm tannins and a finish of vanilla and mocha. Grabby and extracted, but like so many Argentine Malbecs from 2005, it lacks the exuberant flavors and cushioned body that has made the categeory what it is today.——M.S.(5/1/2008)—— 86