Welcome to FT... falc1804 :D

There's a tonne of Aussie malbec's coming through the ranks right now, from both big and small producers.

The ones from the smaller producers, I find to be the better

Three to try are:

Amicus Shiraz/Cabernet/Malbec 2002

2005 Summit Estate Malbec 2005 Single Vineyard - this one has won medals in local shows

But the one I'm drinking at the moment is:

Zonete's Footstep Cabernet Malbec

Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x320)

On the subject of non-Argentine Malbec, the best Ive had so far has been from South Africa.

Impressive heritage, if the 2002 Shiraz is a guide.

Danny, did you buy it? From a national or local retailer/merchant/source?

I buy direct

Order Form

I hope you had ordered some of the 2002 Shiraz at the same time. :p

I'll post back with some Australian Malbec blends I've had.

I just had a Catena Alta 2004 Malbec .
It was excellent :D

Rolov-- if you liked the Catena Alta and are in the mood to try the best wines made by Catena... here are the two flagship wines made by Catena Zapata:

- Nicolas Catena Zapata (Cabernet based blend)
- Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino (Malbec)

Both of these are super-limited production wines and they are not inexpensive... but if you like the Catena style I suggest you dont miss a chance to try them.

Can you suggest a good store in Buenos Aires that would carry them.
My cousin is going next month and i can have him stop in on the way home.
I know its pretty expensive though.
Thanks

For an inexpensive Malbec try Tilia Malbec/Syrah from Bodegas Esmeralda. Usually runs between 10 and 15 a bottle. Great little wine that I serve at parties when I have to buy 10-20 bottles. Doesn't break my bank account and always gets good reviews. It is also one of the best sellers at the little wine shop I work at sometimes.

Susana Balbo's Crios line is pretty tasty for about US$15/bottle.

I've enjoyed their Malbec in the past but tonight I'm trying the Syrah/Bonardo blend to see how it pairs with a grilled Porterhouse. :p

Syrah / Bonarda

:D

Rolov... the Catena Alta is an export market label, so its best bought in the USA rather than in Argentina, where it is a rarity and will be more expensive than anything you would pay in the States.

The domestic market equivalent is Angelica Zapata. Thats what you should be on the lookout for.

For the equivalent of the Nicolas Catena Zapata blend.... in Buenos Aires you should seek out the Catena Zapata Estiba Reservada.

If you need further guidance, please feel free to PM me.

Cheers,
Alex (Gaucho100K)

hiccup :o

According to the bottle, we're both wrong...it's bonarda

and it was awesome with the steak that I enjoyed with my mother...together with the Rio Alba napkins that I don't want to know how she got :D

you are right... it is Bonarda... sorry for the typo.

:o

I've always enjoyed Los Vascos, owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild-Lafite (same as the 1st growth Bordeaux). My local wine shop usually stocks a ton of this stuff for $6.99/bottle or 3/$15. An entire case is $60 and the QPR is pretty good.