Confession: I don’t love Malbec. I find it gritty, rustic, and can usually find something else on a wine list or in the store that I’d rather have. But I know a lot of people drink it and today is Malbec Day, so in anticipation I went on a quest to see if I could find one I loved. I can’t say I fell head over heels, but I definitely found a few I really liked.
Plus, what I really like about it is that you can find a good one for not a lot of coin – hard to do with red wines. Most of the ones I really liked or at least would consider buying were under $20 – maybe that’s why people drink it so much! The best ones usually come from Mendoza, Argentina, but I was psyched to see a few good ones from the US. Here are my top 10, starting with my fave:
Masi Tupungato “Passo Doble”
This is 70% Malbec and 30% Corvina (one of the traditional grapes in Venetian reds), so it’s a bit of cheat that I’m comparing it to pure Malbecs. But whatever – it’s really good! “Passo Doble” refers to a double fermentation used for making the wine.The Malbec grapes ferment for a couple of weeks on their own, then the slightly dried Corvina grapes are added to start the second fermentation.
country: Argentina
region: Mendoza
year: 2011
yum factors: Black Forest cherry. Forest sticks. Smooth.
price: $13 – INSANE. Thought it was going to be way more expensive.
buy it: here and at Whole Foods
Graffigna Reserve
country: Argentina
region: San Juan
year: 2010
yum factors: Interesting aroma, bright fresh blackberry. Not quite ripe but almost. Very smooth yet good medium-high acid.
price: $11
buy it: here. And, if you buy it you can get 6 of the new Malbec Riedel glasses for only $60.60. Check it out here.
Michel Torino, Don David Reserve
country: Argentina
region: Calchaqui Valley, Salta
year: 2011
yum factors: Deep dusty dark blackberry and blueberry – love the smell. Lush. Pine. Earth. Taste isn’t as good as the smell but I still like it. A different kind of cool.
price: $14 – great value for this wine
buy it: here
Tolentino
country: Argentina
region: Mendoza
year: 2011
yum factors: Fresh black cherry. Hint of pine, menthol. Some dark chocolate. Nice acidity.
price: for $15, this is really good
buy it: here
Clos de los Siete
Malbec with Merlot, Cabernet, Syrah and Petit Verdot.
country: Argentina
region: Mendoza
year: 2010
yum factors: Dusty blueberry. Lots of dirt, like the kind on your fingers when you’re hiking in the summer. Coffee. Gritty.
price: $17
buy it: here
McKinley Springs
country: USA
region: Horse Heaven Hills, WA
year: 2009
yum factors: Baking spices like nutmeg and cinnamon – love the smell. Tangy cranberry. Red currant. Blackberry jam. Basically smooth, another with tons of acid.
price: $24
buy it: here
Bodega Septima
country: Argentina
region: Mendoza
year: 2009
yum factors: Dusty earth and very mild blackberry. Espresso. Fig cake. Has that dirty, dusty Malbec mouthfeel. But I like the taste and it’s smooth with good acidity.
price: $25
buy it: here
Fritz
country: USA
region: Dry Creek Valley, CA
year: 2010
yum factors: Big bursting blackberry. Black plum. Dusty. Super smooth, but could use more acid.
price: $40
buy it: here
Alta Vista
They produce a bunch of Malbecs, the best are the ones from single vineyards.
country: Argentina
region: Mendoza
year: 2010
yum factors: I had the Serenade and the Temis vineyards – both were good but I liked the Temis more. The Serenade is thicker black cherry, inky and dark. The Temis has black cherry and juicy red currant with some violet which is a nice, balancing addition. Medium to high tannin.
price: $41 Temis, $44 Serenade
buy it: here
Steven Kent
country: USA
region: Livermore, CA
year: 2009
yum factors: Dusty blackberry. Tiny bit of cinnamon. None of that Malbec tannic grit, very smooth.
price: $50
buy it: here
Let me know which are your favorites on Twitter @grapefriend!
grapefriend 
Nice review! Did you prefer the USA or Argentina-sourced malbec in general?
Thanks! A little weighted to Argentina because most come from there, and they’re great values, but I did like a few of the US ones. I think the higher elevation and cooler climate in Argentina make the grape win out there. Cheers!
Thanks for the recommendations. My go-to Malbec right now is Coppola’s Diamond Label. I know, commercial and pedestrian, but it has a “poo” taste I love and the price is right.
Haha – not sure I’m down with “poo” taste, but that just cracked me up! I actually haven’t had the Coppola one, but good to know!
“poo” taste?!?! LOL
I would go with the ’09 Pascual Toso Reserve Malbec.
will look for it… cheers!
Nice work, Grapefriend. The “Passo Doble” does sound interesting, I will be on the lookout for it.
fantastic value!
I, too, am not a huge fan of the Malbec, however, try the Paracombe Malbec from Australia..almost puts the Argentinians to shame…$26 for me up here in alberta…
Ooooh have never had one form Australia – will be on the lookout… cheers!
Just always remember to take care of your liver while you’re doing all of this ‘searching.’ xoxoxoxoxox Mom
“Mom” – any professional wine sampler spits out more than drinks. No worries!
Haha I love your mom’s comment! And I love a good Malbec- excited to give some of these a try. You found some really great values!
xx
The Screen Siren
http://thescreensiren.wordpress.com
haha cheers!
Reblogged this on ulearn2bu and commented:
I missed Malbec Day!
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Sorry I am late on this post but I had to comment! Malbecs, after all, have my heart ! 😀 They have the perfect combination of character against balanced tannins and just the right touch of oak ! Plus they are flexible enough to woo even you 🙂 from tight tannins to smooth silky ones, from chocolate to spice, they have that “je ne sais quoi’! I feel wrong liking them over the original Cahors though, but they are so much more complex in sunny Argentina 🙂 I had a nice blend tonight, “M Blend” by Alma Negra (Catena family). Bonarda & Malbec! There are mixed reviews but I found it just so juicy, and so very complex, leather, mint, ripe dark fruit, even smoke and ripe but smooth tannins! YUM! 🙂 Also, I LOVE Los Siete and Don David. Not so fond of Graffigna (to straight forward) and Masi (too soft). But hey, that’s just me. The others I haven’t seen but I shall look for them, nice post! Thanks!
That’s the beauty – everyone can find their own fave!
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