Recommend a Malbec please?
 

I recently purchased a case of Malbec. Bodega Norton Young Varietals Malbec 2006 Argentina to be exact. I had a bottle of it with my wife a few weeks ago and found it to be extremely drinkable. So ever since I think Malbec has become my new favorite red wine.

This wine is about $15/bottle. I was wondering if anybody could find me other malbecs around this price range that are comparable? Thanks

I think you'll also enjoy this Argentine Malbec "El Felino": http://www.wineloverspage.com/wines/tn.phtml?id=511

Sante!

Amancaya Gran Reserva 2006
Bodegas Caro (Domaines Barons de Rothschild) - Argentinia - Mendoza - Godoy Cruz

It is a 50/50 mixture of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Really good wine.

2003 Terrazas De Los Andes Reserva

http://www.blacktiewines.net/vsku1262940.html

I tried and ended up buying a case of the Bodega Norton Malbec. I think it was under 7 bucks a bottle. Very drinkable.

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Some names I suggest you be on the lookout for include:

- Achaval Ferrer Malbec Mendoza
- Juan Benegas Malbec
- Melipal Malbec
- Alamos Malbec
- Susana Balbo Crios Malbec

I really enjoy that label. The Terazzas de Los Andes is also very nice and seems to be near the same price point.

Give the 2004 Bodega Norton Malbec Reserva a try and it is
another Costco deal, $12.99 for a Wine Spectator 91pt. wine.
Sam

Try the Catena Malbec - 2005 or 2006 , both excellent. Available at some Sam's Club for $15, otherwise about $20. Enjoy!!

Are there any bad Argentine Malbecs?

Working my way through them and so far still to find a bad un. :)

Go Australian!

The Australian Malbecs that are being produced at the moment (or within the last few years - my tip is the 2005 vintage) are fantastic.

Hello Dannyr-- I read with interest that Australia is jumping on the bandwagon of Malbec producers. I have to confess to having very little exposure to Ozzie Malbec... of the top of my head I remember a Cabernet-Malbec made by a producer called Wendouree - which was quite good.

Could you name what you think are the best Australian Malbecs...?

Thanks,
Gaucho100K

oops, that is the bottle I meant, not the Norton young varietals.

Bodegas Weinert (from Argentina) produce wines similar to Norton, but in my opinion somewhat better, at around the same price point. Unfortunately they seem to have cut back their US distribution and are not easy to find.

Dona Paula!!!
 

While travelling to South America last year, an Argentinian friend of mine selected "Dona Paula" Malbecs for dinner. I became addicted and was thrilled to find them available in liquor stores in NJ - decently priced around $15-$20 a bottle.

I strongly recommend it.

Good luck!

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

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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.

i thought los vacos was pretty much a wine from chile. i like it because they keep the carmangiere out.

bonarda is another of those wierd success stories in argentina. the bonarda of argentina can be a supurb wine.

bonarda is grown extensively in the piedmont/lombardy reigon where it makes a decent, but not special table wine, and is frequently sold in bulk to individuals. some of the wineries have pumps that look just like 1960's gas pumps to allow filling of 10-20 gallon jugs. i have never heard of a bottle of bonarda shipped from italy to usa for resale. i have seen some in distributor dumping sales where they are clearing out samples(probably unsolicited).

slawecki is correct... the Los Vascos is indeed from Chile, not Argentina.

On the subject of Bonarda, here are some labels to look out for:

Trapiche Fond de Cave Bonarda Reserva
Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda
Nieto Senetiner Reserva Bonarda

And some blends that have a serious amount of Bonarda....

Ernesto Catena Siesta Bonarda Malbec
Finca Las Moras Mora Negra

^ I agree on the Alamos. I enjoy it regularly and now find it all over the place.

Big fan of the Alamos - great price point too $7.99

Also, I'd recommend watching these two clips regarding Malbec's in general:

Malbec vs. Malbec
Argentina and Those Pesky Malbec's

Thanks for the correction. In any event, it's a cheap, tasty Malbec :) And their Cabernet isn't bad either.

The policia de vino tinto may repossess your business over this one :p

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For those wanting to have some of the best wines of Argentina, here is a list of super high-end/cult labels:

Benegas Lynch FBL Barrica 2003
Azul Gran Vino 2003
Alto las Hormigas Reserva 1999
Catena Zapata Estiba Reservada 2002
Achaval Finca Altamira 2005
Cobos Malbec 2005
Cobos Unico 2005
Felipe Rutini 2002

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Just to add a few labels to the A list:

Chacra Treinta y Dos 2006
Ocio Pinot Noir Crianza 2003
Judas Malbec 2005
Rutini Antologia XVII 2003
Rutini Apartado 2002
Miguel Escorihuela Gascon 2004

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Some more high-end picks:

Enrique Foster Firmado
Las Perdices GR Tinamu
Susana Balbo Nosotros
Foster Enamore

Gaucho100k
I had the Nicolas Catena Zapata today , and it was excellent:D

wow... indeed, its special stuff. Did you have the Cabernet based blend or the Malbec...?

it was a 2004 , and it doesn't say anything about the type, i believe it was the blend though.