7 Outstanding Argentine Malbecs to Drink Now
Far from its home in Southwest France, this grape thrives in South America.
Most wine lovers we know have enjoyed more than one serious Malbec from Argentina but only the most passionate devotees know that Malbec originated in Bordeaux and Cahors and was brought to Argentina in the mid-19th century. Far from its home in southwest France, Malbec has certainly become more popular in its new home than it ever was in the old country. One reason is that Argentina boasts the world’s highest collective vineyard altitude, with an average height of 2,700 feet; one of the primary benefits of increased altitude is greater fluctuations in day to night temperature variation. Sunlight increases sugar and other complex flavors during the ripening process, while nighttime cold preserves the grapes’ natural acidity, so Malbec from Argentina oftentimes taste more concentrated, bold, and flavorful.
Most of Argentina’s Malbec grows in Mendoza, with vineyards ranging from 1,500 feet to 5,600 feet. It is also grown in even higher altitude vineyards in Salta to the north and closer to sea level in the cold Rio Negro region in the country’s south. Higher altitudes in Mendoza and Salta and colder year-round temperatures in Rio Negro have caused Argentine Malbec grapes to develop a thicker skin, which leads to stronger tannins and more concentrated flavors than you may find in Malbec raised elsewhere. Expect dark red and black fruit flavors of black cherry, blackberry and plum along with notes of ground pepper, dark chocolate, espresso bean, leather, and pipe tobacco. This bold flavor profile paired with medium to heavy tannins makes Malbec the perfect pour when grilled steaks are on the menu.
Bodega Noemia 2021 J. Alberto Rio Negro
Italian Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano and Danish winemaker Hans Vinding-Diers have made wine together for the past two decades, but recently Hans bought Noemi out and is currently the sole proprietor of Bodega Noemia. Their wines have been among our favorites for years and the J. Alberto is certainly near the top of the list. It has aromas of black raspberry, cassis, cherry tobacco, and pencil lead followed by supple tannins and flavors of black and red fruits with a touch of bright minerality in the finish.
Buy Now: $66
Achaval Ferrer 2019 Finca Mirador Malbec Mendoza
The winemaking team at Achaval Ferrer uses vineyard practices to specifically and deliberately obtain low yields from the vines. They planted 2,600 vines per acre which makes the vines compete for water and grow deeper and more substantial root networks, thus resulting in more concentrated and flavorful grapes. This 2019 comes from their Finca Mirador and has aromas and flavors of red raspberry, black plum, finely ground black pepper, and dark berries. On the midpalate it is elegant with balanced acidity and silky tannins.
Buy Now: $130
Bodega Colome 2015 Altura Maxima Malbec Salta
We found this 10-year-old bottle at the back of one of our wine racks and opened it just to see its evolution, and we were both stunned by its concentration and youthfulness. We’re also happy to see it is still available for sale at web-based wine retailers so our readers can enjoy it now as well. The vines are located at altitudes of 10,200 feet in one of the highest vineyards in the world. This wine is deep inky purple in the glass with aromas of black berry, saddle leather, cassis, and red plum with silky soft tannins and flavors of black currant, raspberry, and a touch of graphite in the finish.
Buy Now: $155
Alta Vista 2020 Single Vineyard Serenade Malbec Lujan de Cuyo
The d’Aulan family has made Champagne for almost 300 years, but in 1998 Count Patrick d’Aulan assembled a dream team of Argentine winemakers and vineyard managers to specifically highlight wines made in high-altitude terroirs of Mendoza. This single vineyard offering is an excellent example of the quality of wines made from grapes grown at these heights. It is inky purple in the glass with aromas of raspberry, espresso bean, black currant, and red plum followed by flavors of blue fruits, black plum, and cocoa powder all supported by a pleasantly bold tannic backbone.
Buy Now: $58
Catena Zapata 2021 Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec Uco Valley Mendoza
Grapes for this amazing Malbec are grown in a vineyard named after the family’s youngest daughter, Adrianna, which is located at 4,560 feet of elevation in Gualtallary. Its soils are composed of limestone and fossilized marine shells which impart a unique minerality to the flavor profile. It has complex aromas of pencil lead, crushed oyster shell, wet river rocks, dark cocoa powder, blueberry, and red raspberry that lead to luscious mouthfeel and flavors of black raspberry, cassis, and red plum.
Buy Now: $350
Susana Balbo 2020 Nosotros Single Vineyard Nomade Malbec Gualtallary
Susana Balbo is one of Argentina’s premier female winemakers and this bottle shows why. Her single-vineyard Nomade Malbec is dark red in color with enticing aromas of red plum, black raspberry, and black cherry. It is intense on the palate with balanced acidity and flavors of mocha, pencil lead, blueberry, and a touch of cinnamon mixed with cedar chips in the persistent finish.
Buy Now: $140
Altos Las Hormigas 2022 Los Amantes Malbec Uco Valley Mendoza
Tuscan winemaker Alberto Antonini visited Mendoza in 1995 and identified a site that he felt would be perfect for the cultivation of quality Malbec grapes. He and his team purchased 530 acres in Lujan de Cuyo and named the estate Altos Las Hormigas—translated from Spanish as “heights of the ants”—because they constantly fought with aggressive ant colonies for dominion over the soil. Their efforts paid off and today Altos Las Hormigas consistently makes some of Argentina’s best wines. Their Los Amantes 2022 has a well-integrated bouquet featuring aromas of blue, black, and red fruits that translate to flavors of black plum, red cherry, and blueberry on the palate.
Buy Now: $115
