Malbec wines are known for their exotic flavor, deep purple color, and for being the quintessential big red. They’re made from a dark variety of grapes that are tricky to mature properly without the topography of a valley and an equatorial climate. Malbec wines require a lot of sunlight and high elevation spots, making them not as common as other red wines in the west. That’s why most Malbecs are sourced from South America and Southern parts of Europe.
The Malbec grape originates from France but found its full potential in the outskirts of Mendoza, a major Argentine city just east of the Andes. From Mendoza, it spread south to a vine-growing oasis called the Uco Valley, where it came into its own. Argentina is now home to the most Malbec-focused viticultural areas on the planet.
Top 10 Malbec Wines Under $20
Dante Robino Reserva Malbec
Origin: Argentina
Taste: Ripe dark fruit, black cherry, plum, vanilla, and a hint of black pepper.
ABV: 14.0%
Vino Cobos Felino Malbec
Origin: Argentina
Taste: Ripe black fruit, blackberry, cassis, vanilla, and notes of allspice and oak.
ABV: 14.0%
Bodega Catena Zapata High Mountain Vines Malbec
Origin: Argentina
Taste: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, vanilla, and subtle spice.
ABV: 14.5%
Diamandes de Uco Malbec
Origin: Argentina
Taste: Black fruit, blackberry, plum, vanilla, with a hint of oak and light minerality.
ABV: 14.0%
Pulenta Estate La Flor Malbec
Origin: Argentina
Taste: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, vanilla, and spice, with a silky-smooth finish.
ABV: 14.5%
Bodegas Salentein Reserve Malbec
Origin: Argentina
Taste: Dark fruit, black cherry, plum, blackberry, vanilla, pepper, and oak.
ABV: 14.0%
Achaval Ferrer Malbec
Origin: Argentina
Taste: Dark fruit, black cherry, blackberry, plum, with a hint of vanilla, spice, and oak.
ABV: 14.0%
Casa de Uco Vineyard Selection Malbec
Origin: Argentina
Taste: Ripe black fruit, blackberry, plum, with notes of vanilla, tobacco.
ABV: 14.0%
Luigi Bosca Malbec
Origin: Argentina
Taste: Dark fruit, black cherry, blackberry, plum, with vanilla, spice, and oak on the finish.
ABV: 14.5%
Riglos Gran Malbec
Origin: Argentina
Taste: Ripe dark fruit, black cherry, blackberry, plum, with notes of spiced vanilla and oak.
ABV: 14.0%
Copyright 2023 Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
