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I have to say Ive never heard those descriptors "always" associated with Malbec. Would you care to tell us the names of some of the labels you have tried and found these traits...?

Not quite sure if anyone recommended these...but I like these following..

PIATTELLI Malbec Lujan de Cuyo Grand Reserve 2007
PASCUAL TOSO Malbec Mendoza Alta Reserve 2007
ALTOCEDRO Malbec La Consulta Reserva 2007

all reasonably priced... ($20 ~ $35)

I know 2 of the above labels... but confess to never have heard of Piattelli. Is it perhaps an export only label...?

i do not find any all encompassing flavor for malbecs. i have also missed the funky, musty, mildewy tastes. have had a few that i thought were not too very good.

now, chilean wines are a different story. the country is inundated in Carmenère. given half an opportunity, one can add water, and make tons of grapes for a miserable, weedy, green wine. back in the 70's and 80's, before canmenere was discovered, most of my acquaintances disliked chilean wines for the same bad taste. we thought it the soil. it still is in a lot of wines, and not mentioned.

i think camenere is also grown in ne italy, sold under some cabernet name, and has the same lousy taste.

I believe it is an export only label... Piatelli usually are not found in many liquor stores (at least in my town)... But I find them great for the price.

Here are some new very interesting labels from Salta and Mendoza to look out for.....

Fincas Notables Cabernet Sauvignon Cuartel 9 (Salta)
Felix Lavaque Malbec Blend (Salta)
Ricominciare Malbec Tannat (Mendoza)
Gran Reserva Barlett II Malbec Blend (Mendoza)

Catena
 

I've always enjoyed Catena malbec.

Catena and Luigi Bosca are classics!

Nicholas Catena makes wines for many tastes and budgets.....

For a change, try a Patagonia Malbec - you will be pleasantly surprised.

Catena makes great wines, as do other large producers like Luigi Bosca and the LVMH bodegas like Terrazas de los Andes. I think its also interesting for wine aficionados to try smaller 'boutique' producers that have smaller/limited run editions of wines that are sometimes not marketed through the general channels. My experience tells me that a good wine is better when there is a story to tell (that comes with it).... ;)

I agree... Malbec comes in different styles, and Patagonian Malbec is very different to Mendoza Malbec, and also quite different from Salta Malbec. As a general rule (the devil is in the details), structure and power go in increase as you move north.... this means that caeteris paribus, a Malbec from Mendoza will be more powerful than a Malbec from Patagonia, and a Malbec from Salta will be more powerful than a similar exponent from Mendoza.

On the subject of Malbec from Patagonia.... Ive mentioned a couple of these before but its a good idea to place them all together on a single list.....

Kooch Malbec
Noemia A. Lisa
Noemia J. Alberto
Noemia Malbec
Calafate Gran Reserva
Marcus Gran Reserva Malbec
Finca Roja Malbec
Fin del Mundo - Fin Malbec
Special Blend del Fin del Mundo

The best way to taste a really good Malbec is to come to Mendoza. Labels are totally diferent in National market or export masrkets

Hello Miguel...

Do you care to elaborate, what do you mean..? Are you saying that some wines are sold only in Mendoza...?

In my experience, unless you are talking about a private label or an export only product, all wines of notable quality make it to the Buenos Aires market... even some of the exceptions that I note here.

Here are some new kids on the block (ie. Market) that are worth a test drive....

HD Reserve Malbec (Mendoza)
Escorihuela Gascon Gran Reserva Malbec (Mendoza)
Felix Lavaque Malbec (Salta)
Calafate Gran Reserva Malbec (Patagonia)

and some options for special occasions....

Poesia Cuvee Helene (Mendoza)
FF Parcela 26 Malbec (Mendoza)
Rutini Antologia XXX (Mendoza)
Durigutti 10 Years Anniversary (Mendoza)

After returning from the Right Side of the Andes, I can recommend:

Mendel. Awesome juice at a much lower price than the over-rated Achaval Ferrer.

Mi Amigo Gaucho. Thanks for your assist in trip planning, and thanks for recommending Miguel. ^