Malbec
Malbec finds its roots in France, where it is a variety permitted in red Bordeaux wine as well as the key grape in Cahors. However, it is currently most famous in Argentina, where it produces inky, rich wines. Argentina produces more Malbec than any other country and has earned great acclaim for its plump, jammy wines.
On the vine, Malbec is a deep purple grape that produces equally dark juice when pressed. This is a thick-skinned grape with a lot of pigment and a fair amount of tannin.
The grape prefers sunny and dry regions where it can fully ripen, and can be produced in a variety of soil types.
Malbec, which is mostly made into single-variety wines in Argentina, produces medium- to full-bodied wines with lots of tannins and moderate alcohol. The dark, juicy grape offers notes of black plum, cherry, blueberry and blackberry.
Malbec in France
In the Southwest France region of Cahors, Malbec must make up at least 70% of a red wine. Here, Malbec is grown on terraces along the banks of the Lot River, where it produces different results depending on the soil type and elevation. The grape was once grown throughout the country, which led to its many synonyms.
Now, it is no longer a widely planted variety in France. It can still be found, however, in several appellations, including Bergerac, Buzet, Fronton, Anjou and Touraine. In Loire Valley’s Saumur, it can be blended and used in sparking wine production. Although it is still one of the varieties permitted in the Bordeaux blend, it is rarely used these days. Winemakers in the smaller regions of Côtes-de-Bourg, Blaye and Entre-Deux-Mers continue to grow Malbec, where it is blended with other common varieties.
Malbec in Argentina
In 1868, Michel Pouget, a French engineer, brought Malbec to Argentina. The grape became a winemaking star. Most plantings are in the Mendoza region, where vineyard sites sit between 2,000–3,600 feet in elevation. However, the grape is also grown in the regions of La Rioja, San Juan, Catamarca and Salta. Malbec from Argentina is slightly different than the French counterpart. The berries are smaller, as are the clusters, and it is believed that the clones that were brought over to Argentina have since disappeared from France.
Global Production
Chile, Australia and New Zealand produce a small amount of Malbec, which is typically used in red blends. California, Washington and Colorado have the most plantings in the United States. The grape is used to bolster blends, but can also be bottled as a varietal wine.
Synonyms: Agreste, Auxerrois, Bouyssales, Cagors, Cahors, Coq Rough, Cor, Cors, Cos, Cot, Côt, Cots, Estrangey, Étranger, Lutkens, Malbeck, Malbech, Mancin, Noir de Pressac, Nuar de Presac, Pied de Perdrix, Pressac, Prunelat, Quercy
-
Brecon Estate 2018 Malbec (Adelaida District)
Central CoastTightly woven aromas of dark plum and dark cherry are sprinkled with ...See Full Review$62 -
Hearst Ranch 2018 Babicora Malbec (Paso Robles)
Central CoastDark-cherry and blackberry-jam aromas meet with dark mint, light leather and smoothed-out ...See Full Review$35 -
Château Fleur Haut Gaussens 2018 La Viminière Malbec (Bordeaux Supérieur)
BordeauxIt's often forgotten that Malbec was once a major grape in the ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$35 -
Santa Rita 2018 120 Reserva Especial Malbec (Central Valley)
ChileStalky berry aromas share the nose with animal notes and hot summer ...Best BuySee Full Review$9 -
Paul Hobbs & Bertrand Gabriel Vigouroux 2015 Crocus La Roche Mère (Cahors)
Southwest FranceThis is the top wine from a partnership between California consultant Paul ...See Full Review$75 -
Château Vincens 2016 Graves de Paul (Cahors)
Southwest FranceSelections from the estate's top parcels and aging in new wood for ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$38 -
Paul Hobbs & Bertrand Gabriel Vigouroux 2015 Crocus Le Calcifère (Cahors)
Southwest FranceProduced from vines on chalk soil, the wine is one of three ...See Full Review$45 -
Cuda Ridge 2017 Reserve Malbec (Livermore Valley)
Central CoastWonderful aromas of balsam and cedar give way to warm, broad, grilled ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$60 -
Château Vincens 2018 Origine (Cahors)
Southwest FranceStill totally young, this dense, structured and tannic wine shows strong wood ...See Full Review$28 -
Château Vincens 2017 Origine (Cahors)
Southwest FranceThis pure Malbec wine is solid, dark with tannins and blueberry fruits. ...See Full Review$28 -
Peachy Canyon 2018 Ms Behave Malbec (Paso Robles)
Central CoastDense aromas of blackberry, ham, coffee and a hint of leather show ...See Full Review$40 -
Château Lagrézette 2017 Cuvée Marguerite Massaut (Cahors)
Southwest FranceOf course, this wine is still young, but it has great potential. ...See Full Review$70 -
Mount Saint Joseph Wines 2017 Malbec (Sierra Foothills)
Sierra FoothillsThis absolutely mouthfilling and delicious wine packs extra-ripe black-cherry and blackberry flavors ...See Full Review$39 -
DeLille 2017 Red Willow Malbec (Yakima Valley)
Columbia ValleyComing from one of the state's top vineyards, satsuma, orange-oil and plum ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$49 -
Virtue 2018 Vitality Malbec (Columbia Valley (WA))
Columbia ValleyAll of the fruit for this 100% varietal wine comes from Solaksen ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$25 -
Allan Hancock 2018 Malbec (Santa Barbara County)
Central CoastThis is a fun and sprightly take on Malbec by the students ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$15 -
Château Vincens 2018 Prestige (Cahors)
Southwest FranceGrapes grown on the high terraces above the River Lot and oak ...See Full Review$22 -
Europa Village 2017 C'est la Vie Malbec (Temecula Valley)
South CoastRoasted cherry, light clove, caramel and a hint of baked fennel show ...See Full Review$45 -
Château Vincens 2017 Prestige (Cahors)
Southwest FranceThis blend of Malbec with some Merlot is a rich, oak-aged and ...See Full Review$25 -
Kaena 2016 Stag Canyon Vineyard Malbec (Los Olivos District)
Central CoastVery dark aromas of black currant, prune and bourbon show on the ...See Full Review$55
- $1–$15(1,896)
- $16–$25(1,756)
- $26–$40(1,196)
- $41–$60(591)
- $61–$75(133)
- $76–$99(108)
- $100–$199(172)
- $200+(19)
-
Argentina(3,612)
-
Mendoza Province(3,243)
- Mendoza(2,250)
- Uco Valley(378)
- Lujan de Cuyo(238)
- Tupungato(128)
- La Consulta(58)
- San Rafael (ARG)(47)
- Agrelo(42)
- Perdriel(34)
- Paraje Altamira(19)
- Vista Flores(15)
- Maipu(14)
- San Carlos(8)
- Altos de Mendoza(3)
- Medrano(3)
- Alto Valle de Uco(1)
- Carodilla(1)
- Gualtallary(1)
- Los Chacayes(1)
- San Martin(1)
- San Rafael(1)
- Other(369)
-
Mendoza Province(3,243)
-
US(1,095)
- Washington(499)
-
California(465)
-
Central Coast(145)
- Paso Robles(59)
- Livermore Valley(19)
- Santa Barbara County(15)
- Santa Clara Valley(10)
- Santa Ynez Valley(7)
- Happy Canyon Santa Barbara(6)
- Adelaida District(5)
- Central Coast(4)
- Contra Costa County(3)
- Monterey County(3)
- Carmel Valley(2)
- Los Olivos District(2)
- Paicines(2)
- San Antonio Valley(2)
- San Benito County(2)
- Santa Cruz Mountains(2)
- Arroyo Seco(1)
- Monterey(1)
- Sonoma(105)
- Napa(75)
- Central Valley(35)
- Lake County(29)
- Sierra Foothills(23)
- California Other(17)
- South Coast(15)
- Mendocino County(10)
- North Coast(10)
- Napa-Sonoma(1)
-
Central Coast(145)
- Oregon(89)
- New York(13)
- Colorado(11)
- Virginia(7)
- Idaho(6)
- Michigan(2)
- Texas(2)
- Arizona(1)
- France(987)
- Chile(280)
- Australia(17)
- New Zealand(8)
- Israel(6)
- South Africa(4)
- Italy(3)
- Peru(3)
- Uruguay(3)
- Bulgaria(1)
- Canada(1)
- Spain(1)
- Nonvintage(21)
- 2019(27)
- 2018(170)
- 2017(234)
- 2016(386)
- 2015(434)
- 2014(505)
- 2013(434)
- 2012(486)
- 2011(457)
- 2010(472)
- 2009(466)
- 2008(414)
- 2007(365)
- 2006(299)
- 2005(225)
- 2004(198)
- 2003(152)
- 2002(108)
- 2001(64)
- 2000(50)
- 1999(41)
- 1998(8)
- 1997(4)
- 1994(1)