The 10 Best Malbec Wines Money Can Buy
Today, we can’t deny Malbec’s rapid popularity gain over the last few decades. The grape is synonymous with Argentina, the largest producer of the full-bodied reds. However, Malbec originated in France and is widely grown in Bordeaux blends with merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc. Outside Argentina and France, Malbec grapes have taken root in the United States, where producers in Oregon, California, and Colorado create high-quality Malbec wines. Malbec is highly reputable as a value grape with a dark fruit flavor palate that plays a major part in a delicious red wine blend. To properly offer Malbec the recognition it deserves and add it to your wine collection, here is a review of the 10 best Malbec wines money can buy.
10. 2015 Tapiz “Black Tears” Malbec San Pablo Vineyard, Uco Valley ($50)
No words to describe this incredible Black Tears Tapiz Malbec wine featuring a purplish red color. This wine is distinctly balsamic, featuring a black cherry cobbler, graham cracker crust, plum compote, allspice, Maduro cigar tobacco, and sweet cinnamon. This 2015 Tapiz Malbec wine will be perfect with sweet-sauced ribs. It pours with a fantastic freshness, with aromas of sappy cherries, bluebonnets, and blueberries, and sweet spice with a subtly lifted finish with flowers. According to Wine.com, this is a well-proportioned, classical, aromatic, and floral, fresh wine.
9. Zuccardi Concreto Malbec, 2016, Argentina ($84.99)
Zuccardi is famous for making some of the best wines in Argentina and is a specialist in producing Malbec. Concrete is a malbec that is matured and fermented entirely in concrete vats. The wine is an exciting and modern example of Malbec wine producing a wine of solid structure, vibrancy, and elegant balance of acidity and fruit. It’s relatively an austere style with sinewy tannins, chalky freshness, and masses of dark berry fruit. The nose is alluringly floral, backed by an undercurrent of meat, dried herbs, and dark berries. A pebbly minerality looms through and carries the wine up to the end.
8. Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae Malbec 2015 ($104)
At about 5000m above sea level, the Adrianna vineyard planted by Nicolas Cantina is claimed to be the Grand Cru Vineyard of Argentina. It has a particular combination of altitude, soils, and a cool climate that produce wines of fascinating concentration but also balanced with a salivating fresh acidity as well as the ability of decent aging. According to Catena Zapata, this malbec bottle is a unique occasion wine with several layers of black fruit flavors with hints of licorice and chocolate to linger over. It has complex aromas of blackberries and blueberries with hints of wet earth and cheese. You can pair it with your most refined foods, most recommendable a T-bone steak. It is very delicious, and you will want more.
7. Bodega Catena Zapata’ Nicasia Vineyard’ Malbec 2012 ($111)
This Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec 2012 is unquestionably high-end. This is luxurious, black-fruited, balanced Malbec with aromatic complexity. The Malbec from Nicasia vineyard produces an opaque purple wine with aromas of ripe blackberries and tart, violet, and fresh mint. Although concentrated and round, it features a medium-bodied palate with a subtle zesty and green-accented finish.
6. 2015 Achaval Ferrer Malbec Finca Altamira Mendoza ($116)
Achaval Ferrer Malbecs vineyard has become the benchmark over the years, and this particular wine bottle is one of the best you can taste. The Malbec wine features aromas of pith join evocative cedar, orange oil, and notes of sandalwood with a mineral pulse. It has a palate of concentration, energy, and remarkable detail. This Achaval Ferrer Malbec wine lingers flavors of grilled plums, kumquats, sappy red cherries, and allspice, along with a tobacco leaf roll and almost a saline finish with sweet dusty tannins.
5. Catena Nicolás Zapata Cabernet Malbec,2008 ($119)
While it’s technically a blend of 22% Malbec and 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Catena Nicolas Zapata Cabernet 2008 blend is very luxurious, not to include it on the list of one of the best Malbec wines money can buy. This wine features an intense dark violet color with bluish-black tones. The bottle has super-ripe aromas of dark chocolate, black cherry, and licorice with softer intonations of violets, minerals, herbs, and pepper. It is robust, full-bodied, and complex with mineral flavors and a fresh currant. So, while it’s a splurge, this is an excellent choice if you want to invest in a quality Malbec wine.
4. 2018 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino Mendoza ($120)
The 2018 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino Mendoza is another best malbec wine from Argentina. It is dark and inky with soft but powerful nature and smells like blueberry liqueur with a hint of flowers. The wine comes with a subtle but profound nose of dark berries, incense, sweet spice, and cigar tobacco. The palate makes way for a palate of intense, impressive structure and generosity with waves of black cherries, acho-dusted vanilla-chocolate mousse, and a finish of blood oranges. The outstanding balance and dusty tannins assure the years of evolution ahead.
3. Catena Zapata Adrianna River Stones Malbec 2018 ($179.89)
Here is another fine Malbec wine that is a must-have. The aromas of the crushed berries, black tea, and licorice have purity and focus that follow an integrated palate of melted, fine tannins, which spread in balance throughout the wine. The nose is elegant, subtle, and nuanced, with a vibrant plate featuring a blood-orange sensation. According to Grandin Wine Merchants, the malbec wine has a fine dry, tasty finish that is distinctly stony, true to the characteristic of the place. This is one of the best Malbec wines money can buy.
2. Catena Zapata Adrianna Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec 2017 ($259.89)
This bottle matches the profile for everything, which promises a top-shelf malbec wine. The wine comes with a layered yet soft red with unctuous, checked tannins. It has power and clout but with finesse and balance. You will perceive blueberry, ripe plum, chocolate, subtle oak, tobacco, and a persistent aftertaste on the palate. This wine features intense, concentrated yet velvety tannins with mineral notes and balanced acidity. This is a joy to taste and have in your wine collection.
1. Château Lagrézette Le Pigeonnier Malbec 2013 ($269.99)
Are you looking to taste one of the most expensive and luxurious malbec wines? This is it. The Château Lagrézette Le Pigeonnier Malbec 2013 comes with a deep, dense, dark red nose, red berry fruit aromas, licorice taste, and vanilla notes. It’s an elegant and balanced wine with supple, smooth tannins evolving into woody notes that integrate with red berry fruit aromas. The wine is harmonious, rounded, and hearty, with a good aftertaste. This southwest France Malbec wine will go well with poultry, lamb, or beef dishes.
Bottom Line
While Malbec wines are mainly celebrated for perfectly accompanying steak and red meats, the wines are also ideal for various foods, from all cheese types to vegetable-rich dishes. One sip of any of these wines, and you will agree that these wines deserve their star on the walk of fame.