From the previously considered substandard and now one of the most important grapes in many vineyards, the Malbec grape is a special grape loved by wine enthusiasts the world over.
The Malbec grape is most commonly used to make a dry red wine, although getting a rose is also very possible. In the past, Malbec has often been overshadowed by Merlot, this is quickly changing as Malbec has become a large wine contender just behind Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in popularity.
Malbec remains an incredibly significant wine to the wine industry. If you have yet to become accustomed to a great Malbec wine, there has never been a better time than now.
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Malbec Wines You Need To Try
As with many wine types and brands, there is an extensive range of options at different price points available. Here we sum up three of the best Malbec wines available for the extra special occasion.
- Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2018 – The Argentino is one of the best all round Malbec wines available. It comes across as bold, smooth and dry with a soft nature. Typical to Malbec wines, the Argentino has a dark and deep colouration, almost as though it is coloured by ink. The smell is that of blueberry and flowers, a surprisingly sweet scent for a powerful wine. The moderate natural acidity allows for some deep flavour profiles with underlying notes of vanilla, chocolate and tiny hints of coffee. The price tag of $115 means this is a wine for a special occasion that every Malbec enthusiast should try at least once.
- Rutini Apartado Gran Malbec 2017 – As the Apartado in the name suggests, this is a wine to set itself apart from the rest. The Apartado appears as a silky red with deep purple undertones. On the nose, the Apartado comes across as complex, with many fruity notes and definite floral undertones. What most makes the Apartado stand out from a lot of other Malbecs is the longevity of the flavour profile, this wine seems to unpack itself bit by bit on the pallet with notes of toasted cocoa beans, coffee and some liquorice sitting subtly below the potent fruity initial flavour. With an average retail of $150 a bottle, this wine is to be savoured as one of the best Malbec wines available.
- Familia Zuccardi ‘Concreto’ Malbec 2019 – The Concerto presents itself similarly to other Malbec wines, with a deep red colour. As for the nose, the Concerto comes across similarly sweet with a flavour of blackberries except with deep earthy undertones and less floral than the majority of Malbec wines.
This earthy undertone carries forward to the flavour profile, where there is a rich front of fruit with a strong earthy backing. The perfect wine for a steak dinner and at only $40, Concerto is a lot more affordable than the other of the best Malbec wine selection
Best Malbec Wine Under $20
The Above-mentioned wines are great for a special occasion or just a great experience, although they are out of the range for an average person to enjoy on a weekly basis. Here we highlight some of the best Malbec brands that are affordable enough to be enjoyed on a more frequent basis.
- Familia Zuccardi ‘Zuccardi Serie A’ Malbec – The affordable, do it all Malbec, this wine hits every note that a Malbec should, and then some too. On the nose, there is a fruity forefront with undertones of a peppery to earth flavour. In flavour, it brings the exact same profile with incredible balance and moderate acidity. There are few better wines for a steak night or dinner party at a price point of only $15.
- Santa Julia Reserva Malbec – The Reserva is a better starter Malbec but still an overall great Malbec wine. This wine leans more to the fruity side with a rich aroma of plum and blackberries at the front with undertones of chocolate and honey. The flavour profile stays true to the aroma, with a fruity plum flavour at the forefront with lingering notes of coffee and honey. At as little as $12, this is a great wine for anybody to begin their journey into Malbec.
- Doolhof Signature Single Vineyard Malbec – The first non-Argentinian wine on this list, and still a great Malbec at that, is Doolhof Signature Malbec from South Africa.
This wine provides vibrant aromas of blackberries and plum, with deep undertones of cocoa and back pepper. The taste follows this trend with a fantastic balance and a smooth, lasting finish. At only $19, this is a remarkable wine for any Malbec lover.
Best Argentinian Malbec Wine
Wine can be a subjective topic, with no two wine lovers having the same standard of the best, but there are some wines that stand above others. Based on the findings of the International Wine & Spirit Competition, Grupo Colomé Autentico Malbec 2020 Is said to be the best Malbec wine available.
Best Malbec Wine Brands
There are a lot of great Malbec brands out there, and it would be a mistake to let this list become the only wine you drink. It’s always great to try something new, as there is no harm in finding something else that you may enjoy. That said, here are some great Malbec brands you can trust to have a fantastic Malbec wine for you.
- Familia Zuccardi
- Santa Julia (also falling under the Familia Zuccardi brand)
- Rutini
- Catena Zapata
- Bodega Argento
- Penedo Borges
- Luca
If you haven’t seen your favourite wine on this list, don’t worry. There are many great Malbecs and simply not enough space for them all.
How To Choose A Good Malbec
When looking for a great Malbec, there are a few key factors to take note of.
- Origin – Ensure that the grapes used for the wine come from a single source and are pure Malbec.
- Region – There are a lot of great wines from a lot of regions. If you want a winner, Argentina never fails to produce an amazing Malbec wine.
- Colour – Malbec wine should be a deep dark red, with tones of violet. Malbec is considerably darker than most other red wines by nature, the dark tone with violet undertones is a telltale of a great wine.
- Alcohol content – Malbec will usually be around 14% alcohol. Anything from 13% to 15% should still be a good and strong wine.
- Flavour – The most subjective part of any wine is a flavour profile that you most enjoy. Other than the flavour profile, Malbec is known to have a great balance between bitter and sweet.
Which Country Makes The Best Malbec?
The best Malbec wine is typically from Argentina as they have the perfect mix of climate, soil, elevation and many other factors. Argentinian Malbec is typically the front-runner in any competition. That said, France, Australia and South Africa are known to produce some great Malbecs too.
Born amidst the rolling vineyards of Napa Valley, Chloe’s love for wine was instilled from a young age. This passion led her to the picturesque wine regions of France, where she immersed herself in the rich wine culture and traditions.
Chloe’s dedication to the craft culminated in her becoming a wine sommelier, a testament to her deep knowledge and appreciation for wines.