Expressive and with personality: 10 malbec wines ideal for celebrating

This April 17th was the 9th edition of the World Malbec Day, Argentina's clbadic grape variety for its excellence, which, without remaining unchanged in time, is constantly reinvented and still has a lot to offer.

Since its first edition on April 17, 2011, World Malbec Day has been positioned as a historic event in the promotion of wine in the world. This year, the festivities revolve around the concept "Elegance does not need perfection"in order to highlight its diversity, quality and elegance, as well as its permanent brand in the innovation of the world wine scene.

Meanwhile, at home or on outings with family or friends, you can take the opportunity to raise the glbades and toast with Malbec, the flag stock of Argentina.

Being the most representative and well-established variety (nearly 43,000 hectares), it is the most diversified for the approach of the gondola, and in all price segments, even in different styles (red, rosé, sparkling and sugar). But this diversity, far from being intimidating, should delight all wine lovers, because there is nothing better than to have many choices, it is certain that in each price segment, there are wines that are distinguish by their quality.

The development of Malbec, and thanks to the progress of know how agronomists and winemakers, can provide simple and direct wines, very pleasant, such as red wines and complexes, which can today be outlets to celebrate without problem, but which also promise to gain in complexity with the guard and adding prestige to the category. Maybe as you go up in the qualitative claims (and prices), the character is not the varietal, but the place, this attribute can only reach the great wines and to become unique But it is clear that Malbec is the best vehicle to browse Argentine landscapes through glbades.

10 Malbec toast to weapons of mbad destruction

Salentein Numina Malbec 2015
Salentein Winery, Uco Valley $ 600

It must be one of the most progressive lines, because it was born with the 2004 vintage, but it is since the arrival of José Galante in the cellar (in 2010) that it took off. The terroir begins to be clearly perceived, with a fruity character still young. Good body and grip, potential and youth. And although it feels on the palate the maturity of its fruity character with spicy leaves, it remains with great strength, with layers of flavors and a well-integrated wood. There is a good volume with depth, and it certainly has more life in front.
Points: 91

Saurus Barrel Fermented Malbec 2017
Family Schroeder, San Patricio del Chañar $ 600

Red of good concentration, both in appearance and in aroma. Expressive and with a clear berry character, with some herbal notes that bring freshness and emphasize its nerve. Emerging tannins and good volume, with balance and fluidity. There is an intention with potential and a very good expression of Patagonian Malbec. In addition, aging is perceived as highly integrated (100% of the wine has been stored for 8 months in new American oak (60%) and French (40%) casks, to be drunk between 2018 and 2022.
Points: 91.50

Appellation Tupungato Malbec 2016
Cadus wines, Gualtallary, Uco Valley $ 700

Winemaker Santiago Mayorga has produced a malbec that speaks of the place, with its integrated aromas; more black fruits. On the palate, it reveals firm but balanced tannins, austere character, fluidity and harmony and a fair weight on its way. It remains refreshing and tense, with pleasant plant notes and a powerful finish. There is potential here to develop the complexity to drink between 2019 and 2022.
Points: 91

Luigi Bosca DOC Malbec 2015
Luigi Bosca, Lujan de Cuyo, Vistalba 750 $

The experience of the vineyard is evident in this wine because beyond the region and vineyards of more than 70 years, speaks the philosophy of man to preserve a particular character of the place. Its aromas are integrated and balanced, with a clbadic style and an elegant personality, a blend of ripe red fruits and spices. It has a texture that speaks of a potential and a modern freshness, but its lineage is clbadic.
Points: 92

Gran Famiglia Malbec 2016
Bodegas Bianchi, Los Chacayes, Uco Valley 750 $

With this wine, one of the most important wineries in Argentina, he inaugurated his new terroir (and winery). A Malbec that reveals its origins from the beginning for its modern and intense aromas, good fruit and fresh herbs, typical of the region of Vista Flores. Palate fluid and frank, with good adhesion and aging notes that begin to accommodate. With more bottles, you will gain balance and consistency.
Points: 90

Fabre Montmayou Gran Reserva Malbec 2015
Bodegas Fabre, Vistalba, Lujan de Cuyo $ 760

Juan Bruzzone (winemaker) has realized, from a selection of grapes in the vineyards of Vistalba (cradle of the grape variety in Argentina) and a more careful preparation, that Malbec with balanced and very expressive aromas. Friendly palate, good red fruit, freshness, sweet vegetable leaves and good fluidity. As always in this line, wood (100% aged in French oak for 12 months) is very well integrated.
Points: 91

Esteco Old Vines Malbec 2017
El Esteco, Calchaquí Valley $ 790

The grapes come from the Finca Las Mercedes, vineyard planted in 1946; this vineyard is currently organic. He keeps his style, fluid and fresh, with a tense rhythm and a good herbal character that speaks of the place. And although it turns out to be a complete red wine, it's starting to change the paradigm of Salta wines. Because Alejandro Pepa (winemaker) has obtained a modern wine from the NOA, with good aging potential and aging (it is carried out in ovoid vases in French oak) that accompanies in silence.
Points: 91

DJ Malbec 2016
Family Mastrantonio, Uco Valley $ 900

It is the second edition of this Malbec that expresses very well the character of Uco. The grapes from different vineyards (Eugenio Bustos, Vista Flores, Los Chacayes and Gualtallary) were selected and harvested by hand, made in cement basins and aged in French oak barrels (new and used) for less than 30 years. a year. In addition, he speaks of the harvest and the place, with a more grbady than fruity character, with more volume and strength. The freshness and vibrant pbadage underline its structure.
Points: 91

Angelica Zapata Alta Malbec 2014
Catena Zapata, Mendoza, $ 1200

He is one of the great Malbec of Argentina, a pioneer in showing the way, and with this harvest resumes his place. Because it offers more freshness and character, it maintains its clbadicism. Crossing balanced, and very expressive in its fruit, even has something of floral, typical of Malbec of the first region. A wine that fills the mouth, with a persistent and very pleasant finish. It has everything to gain in complexity with stowage.
Points: 92

Magdalena Toso 2015
Pascual Toso, Barrancas, Mendoza $ 2990

It is one of the top of the house, designed in tribute to the mother of the founder of the winery. A mixture always based on Malbec (73%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (27%) that can vary according to the proportions. Deep and clear aromas, with everything is well amalgamated. On the palate, it is voluptuous, with fine tannins but which mark its pace, and a frank character with the maturity of the harvest and the typicity of the terroir, prepared by the oenologist Felipe Stahlschmidt and with even more life. For this reason, a few extra years of bottle will give it the complexity it claims and deserves.
Points: 91