Musings on Malbec

First off, apologies to regular readers for the hiatus in posting - I've recently started a new job and am currently a slave to coffee and my bed in my limited spare time! Fear not, however: I thoroughly intend to rectify this distressing lack of blogging with lots of interesting reads in the near future, including tasting notes from an exclusive wine event I shall be attending at the weekend. In the meantime, I thought I'd post a small piece on Malbec: a wine which, for reasons known to higher forces in the universe other than myself, has cropped up a lot recently in my drinking patterns.

If, like me, you're a fan of fuller bodied reds with prominent tannins and concentrated flavours, then Malbec wines should definitely be at the top of your drinking list. Originally grown widely throughout France (where it still features today as part of the 'Bordeaux Six') Malbec is now more commonly associated with Argentina, where the grape has found what seems to be its natural home. As a thick-skinned grape requiring time to ripen, the warmer growing conditions of Argentina are very much suited to Malbec, enabling Argentine producers to make deep, dense varietal wines of great power and aging potential. Below, I have listed three of my current favourite Malbec wines, all of which are drinking well now. If you're not yet accustomed to the grape, there's never been a better time to explore its virtues!


Alamos Malbec 2014, Mendoza

A relatively young example of Malbec with plenty of fragrant blackcurrant and black cherry notes on the nose. On the palate are more dark fruits, coupled with a smooth mouthfeel, well-integrated tannins and a good finish. Perfectly sippable on its own, or try with tomato-based dishes.

Graffigna Centenario Malbec 2012, San Juan

A beautiful deep ruby coloured wine, with a medium nose of blackberries, black fruits, wood, leather and spice. The palate is focused on slightly sweeter, rounder fruits (blueberries, blackcurrant yoghurt) as well as fragrant black pepper and an earthy, bark-like character. Excellent precision and concentration of fruits, with enough depth of flavour to mask the rather high alcohol level.

Viñalba Malbec-Touriga Nacional 2013, Mendoza

A different take on the usual style, this Viñalba wine is in fact a blend of Malbec and Touriga Nacional, the grape better known for the part it plays in Port wines. The Touriga element is immediately evident on the nose: aromas of concentrated black fruits mingle happily with sweet spice and backnotes of violet. On the palate are beautiful raisined fruits along with smooth tannins. In three words: plush, plummy, perfection! Try alongside hard cheeses or red meats.