Sunday, January 12, 2014

Malbec, Perfected in South America



Malbec, one of the six grape varietals found in Bordeaux red wines, however it is most often associated with a plethora of great to poor red wines from Argentina and to a lesser extent Chile, notwithstanding California's, South Africa's, and Australia's (not a complete list) blending of the grape with other red varietals, and even some straight Malbec production.
When I think of Malbec, I think of the flavor-kinship to Syrah and Zinfandel. I also think of Malbec wines (not reviewed) I tasted early in my wine tasting experience that I just didn't like, and which steered me away from them, but with my son's new enjoyment of Malbec I was bound to taste more of them, and thankfully so.
In New Hampshire you'll find plenty of Malbec wines to choose from ($6-$60), but about 95% will be from Argentina with a half dozen or so from Chile.


My list of Malbec wines:

90+ Old Vines 2012 Malbec, $9.99, 85 points (not reviewed)
Achaval Ferrer Mendoza 2010 Malbec, (Argentina) $19.54-$22.99, 91 points
Achaval Ferrer Mendoza 2012 Malbec, $16.14-$22.99, 90 points
Achaval Ferrer Mendoza 2014 Malbec, $16.14-$22.99, 90 points




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3 comments:

  1. VinogirlJanuary 12, 2014 at 4:41 PM

    "Plethora of great to poor". I think these wines were very hit and miss in the past, and still a little today, but they are improving at a great pace.

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    Replies
    1. New Hampshire WinemanJanuary 12, 2014 at 8:13 PM

      So many wines, and so little time! Slowly, but surely my wine expedition is including Malbec along with Carménère and others, but I must agree with you: the quality is more often good than otherwise. I had the tikal Amorio Mendoza Argentina 2008 Malbec today with some friends and family, and we all found it quite beautiful (review coming tomorrow).

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  2. New Hampshire WinemanFebruary 2, 2018 at 1:19 AM

    April 17 is National Malbec Day!

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