I was just nice to find something in the back i'd forgotten about since I've run out of the Mora Negra and have been going through Luigi Bosca DOC as fast as I can afford them.

I'm one who used to bring this home as it was good/cheap/gifts for people. I say used to only because my limited weights coming home are reserved for better/personal supplies.

But it was my introduction to Malbecs and a good place to start.

The Luigi Bosca DOC had a great reputation and delivered solid value... until the last vintage. Ive been dissapointed with the wine and they have also increased price to a level where there are better options.

Sorry to hear that. It was a reliable "go to" at even a good restaurant price point. What would you recommend in a similar boat?

Restaurant values will vary greatly... depending on the mark-ups they choose to impose.

However, retail shelf prices considered, the Luigi Bosca Malbec DOC is now in the AR$80-120 bracket and in this segment, the go-to canditates are:

Durigutti Reserva Malbec
Lamadrid Gran Reserva Malbec
Benegas Estate Malbec
Ricominciare Cabernet Franc/Malbec
Rutini Cabernet/Malbec
Terrazas Barrel Select Malbec Las Compuertas
Benegas Finca Libertad
DV Catena Malbec Malbec
Fond de Cave Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
Terrazas Barrel Select Cabernet Malbec
Ciclos Icono Blend

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Here is a new Malbec to try....

Marchiori Barraud Malbec

i had a delicious malbec at l'oubil last night... it was:

Gran Malbec Flechas de Los Andes Baron Rothschild Argentina 2007

delicous, extremely juicy, and the just the right amount of acididty

Some other Argentinian Malbecs to consider:

Bodega NQN Coleccion NQN Malbec from Patagonia. I really like the structure of the Malbecs from Patagonia. As close as you will get to Cahors from Argentina.
Andean Vineyards
Alpamanta - biodynamic producer from the just south of Mendoza City. Tanzer scored the 2008 estate Malbec 89 and the 2007 Reserva 88 points.

In the past year, I have seen Malbecs from Chile at trade shows. Has anyone else tried them?

Malbecs from Patagonia are quite different to Malbecs from Mendoza and Salta. Not sure I agree with the Cahors comparison but thats another thread material.

In general terms, Malbecs from the south will be (in general) less powerful, have more minerality and acidity as their counterparts from the north of Argentina. Its a very interesting experience to try three malbecs from Patagonia, Mendoza and Salta... this can be an eye opener... :D

A really nice inexpensive one is the Punto Final black label, which costs $9-11 in the US. Their reserve white label is a bit better and a bit oakier, for closer to $20.

On the subject of Renacer, they make a Malbec heavy blend called Enamore which is very rich, idea for those that like fruit-bomb style reds..... ;)

One of my favorite bottles of inexpensive wine. I used to bring it back to the States with me all the time. I haven't been able to locate in the States or on-line, so I think I'm out of luck until I head back down to BsAs.

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Saint Felicien is a reasonably priced line of wines from Catena. While they are not spectacular, they are consistent and offer good value for money. The best SF is the Cabernet Merlot blend.

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For Patagonian Wines that do not break the bank I suggest....

Calafate Gran Reserva Malbec
Kooch Malbec
Calafate Reserva Malbec

This producer also makes good Pinot at reasonable prices.

To me, malbecs always taste musty and mildewy. Am I just not drinking the right ones, or is this a trait of the varietal?