Which countries to buy Malbec from: 5 recommendations
Many of us immediately think of Argentina when looking to buy Malbec, but there are other countries worth considering for fans of this full bodied red variety...
Perhaps best known these days in its Argentinian guise, the Malbec grape actually reached foreign shores from France – namely Cahors and Bordeaux.
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Five Malbecs to try from around the world:
Where are the best Malbecs made?
France
Although used in Bordeaux as a minor component, the south-western region of Cahors is the real engine room of French Malbec. Produced here for centuries, its wines are now largely outshone by those from Argentina – which offer a more upfront fruity appeal – although the Cahors region is ripe for investment and a renaissance could be on the cards.
Argentina
Argentinian wine production has come of age, with Malbec now synonymous with the country. Planting vineyards in the heights of the Andes to temper the strong sunshine and bolster the acidity led to an explosion in quality, and now several denominations are recognised for their unique regional styles -the best known of these is Mendoza. Argentinian Malbec is generally silk-textured with ripe dark fruit flavours.
New Zealand
Taking a leaf out of Bordeaux’s book, most Malbec here is used as a minor component in Bordeaux style blends. Hawke’s Bay has a reputation for producing excellent blends and it was only natural that some winemakers would start experimenting with 100% Malbec wines.
Australia
Still most often seen as a blending component, more and more 100% Malbec wines are coming to market, with the best hailing from from the Clare Valley, Margaret River and Langhorne Creek. They tend to err on the savoury side rather than being all out fruit bombs like the South American examples, offering chocolate and bramble fruits rather than blackberry, plum and violets.
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Mas del Périé, Amphore, Cahors, Southwest France, France, 2016
With a nose which drifts between blackcurrant conserve and stewed plums, this is a different approach to Malbec. Damson skins and bruised, juicy rosehips and...
2016
Mas del PériéCahors
Kaiken, Mai, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, 2013
Although this is labelled as Malbec, Aurelio Montes Jr revealed that the wine contains a tiny (2-3%) percentage of other grapes including Cabernet Franc and...
2013
KaikenLuján de Cuyo
Altos Las Hormigas, Malbec, Uco Valley, Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina, 2015
94
Another superb offering from the Appellation series by this excellent Malbec specialist. From the high altitude of Altamira, this is tightly wound, with gorgeous dark fruits, graphite and a tantalising saline, mineral finish.
2015
Altos Las HormigasUco Valley
Te Awa, Left Field Malbec, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, 2014
90
The old river bed terroir that made the Gimblett Gravels is known for its plantings of red Bordeaux grapes, with Malbec usually used as a blending partner. But this varietal example is worth a try in place of your usual Argentinian favourite. It spends 18 months in French oak yet is fruit forward with fresh, stalky blackberry, blackcurrant, anise and tarry flavours.
2014
Te AwaGimblett Gravels
Cloudburst, Malbec, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia, 2015
Will Berliner's fastidious viticulture drives this rare varietal Malbec and his tiny estate's burgeoning reputation. Primal blackcurrant pastille and mulberry flavours are rich, ripe and...
2015
CloudburstMargaret River
Château Combel-la-Serre, Les Peyres Levades, Cahors, Southwest France, France, 2014
93
A pure charmer from Cahors: lifted, fresh cherry-damson scents with an almost creamy amplitude to the fruit. Weighty and full in the mouth, this is very primary fruit forward and absolutely jumping with juiciness. Just a faint touch of grassiness, but for many that would add to the freshness.
2014
Château Combel-la-Serre
