With help of various Ontario wine agents and the ‘Wines of Argentina’ representative here in Canada, Louise, Dave and Vic tasted through eighteen Argentine malbec wines from various altitudes, diurnal patterns, soil types and areas in and around Mendoza. We found amazing consistency in quality and were surprised and pleased at how they stacked up for value. They are almost all available for purchase now or in the near future.

New in the LCBO 

89
Alamos Malbec 2016
Mendoza $15.95 (295139) 13.0% alcohol
An easily enjoyable crowd-pleaser, this wine offers notes of strawberry, blackberry, dried herbs, and smoke on the nose. It’s medium to light bodied on the palate with light tannins, balanced acidity and flavours of cherry and blackberry that fade into a vanilla finish. A great wine to pair with pepperoni pizza or spaghetti with meat sauce. It’s good value, too. (Dave Isaacs)

88
Argento ‘Selección’ Malbec 2017
Mendoza $10.95 (591693) 13.0% alcohol
There’s good bang for the buck in this wine. It’s dark red in colour, with purple highlights, and an interesting nose of cherry, moss, mint, and pencil shavings. It has a medium to full body a gentle nip of tannin and good acid balance delivering flavours of cherry, red currant, and spice. This is a perfect wine for an everyday red, to sip or have with meaty stews. (Dave Isaacs)

89
Argento ‘Reserva’ Malbec 2015
Mendoza $13.95 (363192) 14.0% alcohol
Deep-purple-hued liquid and fresh blueberry, purple plum and blackberry aromas introduce this vibrant offering from high-altitude vineyards. This is juicy and generous on the palate with black raspberry flavours and racy tang. Nine months of oak ageing suggest a mild vanilla note on the pleasantly dry, fruit-forward finish. This is a crowd pleaser to pour at your next barbecue. (Louise Boutin)

87
Finca Flichman ‘Misterio’ Malbec 2017
Mendoza, Argentina $9.95 (28803) 12.5% alcohol
This is fruit forward and nicely balanced with good weight and mouthfeel. Aromas of cherry and black plum with hints of spice introduce this delicious, exceptional-value Malbec. It rolls over the palate with dark cherry and mixed field berry flavours enhanced by lip-smacking tang. This spent a short time in oak that’s now totally integrated. It finishes with palate-flavour replays, balanced and tasty. (Vic Harradine)

88
Tilia ‘Sustainably Farmed’ Malbec 2017
Mendoza, Argentina $13.25 (160945) 12.5% alcohol
You’ll be attracted to the dazzling embossed label with its shiny, multi-coloured tree and pleased to know the fruit was sourced from certified sustainably farmed vineyards. Piquant spice, red berry fruit and sprigs of thyme aromas swirl from this creamy smooth red. It’s medium bodied with good texture and plenty of ripe dark berry fruit and red plum decorated by excellent acidity and a hint of minerality on the palate. The mid-length finish is balanced on a pin. Pour with burgers, pizza, or wings. (Vic Harradine)

• Fruit for the following 2016 El Esteco ‘Don David’ ‘High Altitude - Reserve’ Malbec was hand harvested into small bins in vineyards at 1800 m a.b.s. then cold soaked in steel tanks, fermented with wild and commercial yeasts and 70% matured for 12 months in American and French oak with malolactic conversion and 30% matured in stainless tank.

91
El Esteco ‘Don David’ ‘High Altitude - Reserve’ Malbec 2016
Calchaqui Valley, Argentina $15.95 (483263) 14.0% alcohol
Farmed from high vineyards at 1800 m a.s.l., this leaps from the glass with aromas of herbs, spice, berry fruit and black pepper. A gusher of ripe black currant, dark plum and black raspberry adorned with excellent tangy acidity, black licorice and herbs envelops the palate, full bodied and fully textured with replays on the finish and aftertaste. This showcases complexity, exceptional value, and persistent purity of fruit throughout. There’s a pleasant dollop of soft, ripe tannin, you may want to aerate/decant for a couple of hours. (Vic Harradine)

90
Trapiche ‘Pure’ Malbec 2016
Mendoza $15.95 (370924) 13.5% alcohol
A combination of stainless steel tank and concrete pools is used for crafting this manual- harvested red that was then aged on lees for eight months. A beautiful fresh nose—crushed raspberry, red plum, rose petal and a hint of smoke—treat the senses. A velvety-textured gusher of red fruit flavours mingle with black plum with an unexpected saline note appearing on the mid-palate adding complexity to the mouth-watering tasty tart finish. This is a great value, medium-bodied malbec to keep on hand for red-sauce pasta dishes. (Louise Boutin)

90
Trapiche ‘Pure Black - Limited Edition’ Malbec 2017
Mendoza $15.95 (462861) 14.0% alcohol
100% malbec, hand harvested fruits from the Uco Valley are macerated for a minimum of 15 days and aged for six months in small concrete vats (no oak contact) resulting in a deep purple nectar with intense aromas — ripe blackberry, black cherry, graphite and a wisp of violet. The palate is taken over by a flood of fresh ripe black cherry, blackberry and cassis plus a mild bay leaf note bringing a balance of flavours in the lengthy warm dry finish. Medium-full bodied with mellow tannin, it calls for well-seasoned meats on the grill. (Louise Boutin)

89
Trapiche ‘Broquel’ Malbec 2016
Mendoza $14.95 (234385) 14.0% alcohol
This wine is opaque black cherry in colour, with aromas of cherry, vanilla, tobacco, and fresh sage. It is medium bodied with smooth tannins and a tart acidity that carries flavours of cherry, pepper, and red currants. There is a long finish with lingering tannins and lip smacking acidity. Enjoy with skillet-seared steaks with mushroom gravy. (Dave Isaacs)

Upstream in winecurrent

Vintages Release: July 21, 2018

92
Pyros Malbec ‘Barrel Selected 160’ Malbec 2014
Pedernal Valley, Argentina $25.95 (555813) 14.5% alcohol
This malbec has a Venetian flair reminiscent of Amarone with its dry prune, raisin, burnt sugar, licorice and dark fruit aromas. One year of maturation in barrel, half American, half French, plus one year of bottle maturity turn this into a potpourri of complex flavours —dry cherry, prune, dry figs, baking spice and tangy, earthy, aged balsamic vinegar notes are a feast for the palate from start to finish. This is full bodied with balance and fine grippy tannins suggesting potential for cellaring. It’s an excellent after-dinner sipper or a delicious partner to lamb tajine with prunes. Aerate/decant two hours, pour now to 2024. (Louise Boutin)

Vintages Release: August 18, 2018

• The following 2016 Viña Cobos ‘Felino’ Malbec was sourced from hand-picked, late-ripening fruit at approx. 700 m to 1200 m a.s.l. in the semi-desert, premium growing areas of Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco. It was fermented with native and commercial yeasts in closed top stainless tanks and bottled unfined.

92
Viña Cobos ‘Felino’ Malbec 2016
Mendoza, Argentina $19.95 (118067) 14.0% alcohol
This is quite elegant and excellent value. Aromas of fresh red berry fruit, dark plum, pencil shavings and vanilla abound. It bathes the palate with a lively fresh, high-toned flow of pie cherry and red currant interlaced with bramble berry, blueberry and kirsch liqueur adorned with white pepper notes, mocha and oodles of tang. This is mid-full bodied with textured mouthfeel and a lingering, lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. It’s deftly balanced with good depth and plenty of charm. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: September 15, 2018

91
Achaval Ferrer Malbec 2016
Mendoza $29.95 14.5% alcohol
This wine is dark red, almost opaque, with a nose of cherry, bacon, and tobacco with hints of dry earth and violets. It’s medium-light bodied on the palate with a wonderful tartness and significant, well-integrated tannins. There are flavours of vanilla, strawberry, mint and thyme that coalesce into a long finish dominated by dried herbs and vanilla. It’s perfectly matched with Beef Daube Provençal. (Dave Isaacs)

New in Vintages

• The Bodega Tinto Negro portfolio has a collection of four malbecs from La Finca La Escuela with all situated at an altitude of 4000 meters in the Andes mountains. The wines are vinified and aged in the same manner with the only variable being the vineyard parcels from which the grapes are harvested. Within 7.5 hectares, there are four distinct soil types—gravel, silt, stone and sand. This is intended to show how this signature Argentine grape express itself with distinctive characteristics and unique personalities fashioned only by the soil in which the vines grow. Discover the 2014 ‘La Grava’ below, a malbec grown in gravelly soil that showcases the fruity character of this varietal.

91
Finca La Escuela ‘La Grava’ Malbec 2014

Mendoza $24.95 (547851) 13.5% alcohol

Another excellent ‘Wine of the Month’ selection, this high-altitude malbec has an expressive nose driven by aromas of ripe blueberry, blackberry, crushed raspberry, espresso bean and rose petal. Freshness of fruit on the silky-textured palate blossoms forth as flavours of raspberry, juicy black cherry and tangy red plum. This is medium-bodied with melted, soft tannin, stony minerality and a medium-long, dry fruity finish. Versatile at the table, it pairs well with Cumin-scented Couscous Royale. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2015 Catena ‘High Mountain Vines’ Malbec is a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select stores.

• Fruit was sourced from the Catena Zapata family’s prized, high mountain vineyards, wild yeast fermented and matured 12-14 months in new and seasoned oak barrels.

90
Catena Malbec ‘High Mountain Vines’ 2015
Mendoza, Argentina $19.95 (478727) 13.0% alcohol
This is very good value. Aromas of baking spice peppery notes and black cherry provide segue for a rich, luscious stream of palate-coating, creamy smooth black currant and cassis flavours interwoven with savoury herbs. It’s medium-plus weight with soft tannin underpinning and plenty of mouth-watering tang, depth, complexity and a lengthy finish. Aerate/decant for two hours pouring with a premium cut of grilled beef. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2015 Luigi Bosca Malbec is a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select stores.

91
Luigi Bosca Malbec 2015
Mendoza $18.95 (452672) 13.7% alcohol
This marvellously enjoyable wine has a nose of dried plum, cherry, leather, and spice. It’s medium bodied with well integrated tannins and flavours of blackberry jam, plum, cherry, and vanilla. There’s a luscious balance of acidity that carries a finish of sour cherry, mint, mocha, with a touch of mineral chalkiness. This truly all-season wine will be as popular at a summer backyard BBQ as it would be at a winter après-ski gathering. (Dave Isaacs)

• The following Alamos ‘Selección’ Malbec is available at the SAQ #11015726

90  
Alamos ‘Selección’ Malbec 2015
Mendoza $17.00 (SAQ 11015726) 13.5% alcohol
This is the premium Malbec from the Alamos portfolio. It sports a fascinating nose of black cherry, peppery spices, and dried thyme. It’s medium to full body with lots of jammy cherry, black plum flavours along with well-integrated tannins. The fruit-acidity balance is perfect as it fades into a smooth, tannin-tinged finish. Enjoy this wine sometime in the next two years with herb-rubbed roast beef. (Dave Isaacs)

New in Consignment

• Order the following two wines by the case for home, office or restaurant delivery online from Profile Wine Group.

90
Susana Balbo ‘BenMarco’ Malbec 2015
Uco Valley $20.95 14.5% alcohol
This terrific wine has a nose overflowing with aromatic complexity. There are hints of pepper, mint, raspberry, vanilla, raspberry, and mushrooms. On the palate it is medium bodied with a wonderful balance of acid, and luscious flavours of cherry and raspberry. There are plenty of tannins, but they are very well integrated, making this wine a pleasure to sip from beginning to end. It’s well paired with grilled beef ribs slathered with a zesty BBQ sauce. (Dave Isaacs)

88
Susana Balbo ‘Crios - Limited Edition’ Malbec 2016
Mendoza $16.95 13.0% alcohol
This is produced in limited quantities with grapes sourced from defined areas in Mendoza and Salta regions. It exudes rich fruity notes—black plum, blueberry, black cherry—with a hint of baking spice and smoke. It’s ample on the palate with juicy ripe plum, black cherry and cassis flavours joined with dry herb and enjoyable chalky minerality. Medium bodied with mellow tannin, it has good tang on the black-fruit dry finish. Drinking well now, enjoy with beef and vegetable kebab on the grill. (Louise Boutin)