- Last updated on January 24, 2023
Our Best Malbec Selection
- Best Overall: Viña Cobos Bramare Malbec Lujan de Cuyo 2019
- Best Value: Salentein Reserve Malbec (Barrel Selection)
- Best under $15: La Posta Pizzella Malbec (Pizzella Family Vineyard) 2019
- Best USA (Napa): Mt. Brave Malbec 2012
- Best France: Georges Vigouroux Château de Haute-Serre Malbec 2016
- Best Argentina: El Enemigo Malbec 2017
- Best Chile: Viu Manent Estate Collection Reserva Malbec 2019
- Best Australia: Henschke Keyneton Euphonium 2015
- Best BBQ: Alamos Malbec
- Best under $20: Luigi Bosca Malbec
- Best under $30: Luca Old Vine Malbec 2018
- Best under $50: Achaval-Ferrer Quimera 2018
- Best under $100: Catena Alta Malbec 2016
- Best Luxury: Château Lagrézette Le Pigeonnier Malbec 2013
14 Best Malbec Reviewed
Find below the reviews for our wine selection of the 14 Best Malbec so that you have all the info you need to pick what’s best for you.
Vivino’s tips: Great value for money. Similar wines usually cost 3 times as much.
Region: Argentina, Mendoza
Tasting notes: Black Fruits, Roses, Cloves, Cinnamon, Spices.
This wine is a Vivino Editor’s Pick, and this is what he has to say:
“Multiple 100-Point Winemaking Phenom Paul Hobbs’ Fan-Favorite Argentine Red Returns! With a Mind-boggling Number of Perfect 5.0/5.0 Reviews, This Malbec Can’t Be Ignored!”
Aromas of pepper, cloves, cinnamon and other spices, along with black fruits and roses.
Vivino’s tips: 90 points by Wine Enthusiast (2019 Vintage)
Region: Argentina, Mendoza
Tasting notes: Black Fruits, Vanilla, Tobacco, Spices, Violet.
Intense, purplish red color. It is fresh and complex to the nose.
It brings spicy aromas of nutmeg mingled with delicate floral notes.
It is very intense, juicy and fresh in the mouth with a good structure and a long finish.
Region: Argentina, Mendoza
Tasting notes: Black Fruits, Dark Chocolate, Baker Spice, Sandalwood.
Beautiful red/purple color with aromas of black cherries, dark fruits, dark chocolate and bakers spice.
On the palate, the wine shows dense dark berry and plum flavors along with hints of sandalwood and spice, and even a hint of violets in the finish.
Full-bodied and well-structured.
Vivino’s tips: Among top 1% of all wines in the world
Region: United States, Napa Valley
Tasting notes: Huckleberry, Raspberry, Vanilla, Oak, Earthy, Mint.
The growing season was near perfect, with ideal spring bud break and warm, steady days balanced by cool nights.
The steady weather continued into the fall, resulting in optimal ripening conditions at harvest.
The 2012 Mt. Brave Malbec opens with dark, ripe raspberry and huckleberry with spicy undertones.
The sturdy structure reveals that this is a true mountain wine.
Region: France, Cahors
Tasting notes: Blackcurrant, Cherry, Spices, Leather, Licorice.
Very dark color with carmine highlights and a wonderfully complex and powerful bouquet of morello cherry, blackcurrant, and spices.
The freshness and fruitiness on the nose carry over beautifully to the palate, which has a long, silky aftertaste.
Vivino’s tips: Great value for money. Similar wines usually cost 2 times as much.
Region: Argentina, Mendoza
Tasting notes: Dark Blackberry, Plum, Cocoa, Vanilla, Baking Spice.
This is one of the bestsellers wine in California right now, and for a good reason!
It is a nice medium to fuller bodied Malbec with a great value for money.
It is boasting dark blackberry and plum fruit flavors coupled with notes of baking spice, cocoa, toast and vanilla.
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 90% more.
Region: France, Saint-Estèphe
Tasting notes: Dark Fruits, Raspberry, Prune, Oak, Chocolate, Earthy, Pepper.
Purplish red in color with intense floral aromas and very fruity character.
This juicy Malbec recalls ripe plums and pink peppercorns.
The medium-bodied palate is well balanced and very flavorful.
Vivino’s tips: 95 points wine
Region: Australia, Eden Valley
Tasting notes: Dark Fruits, Anise, Cassis, Sage, Violet.
Deep crimson in color.
An intense nose of ripe mulberry, plum, blue and black berry fruits and anise gives way to underlying floral violet notes and hints of cassis, sage and pepper spice.
The beautifully balanced palate shows layers of sweet, concentrated fruit and texture, with fine-grained tannins for a long and elegant finish.
Vivino’s tips: Rated 90 points by James Suckling and Robert Parker
Region: Argentina, Mendoza
Tasting notes: Blackberry, Plum, Sweet Spices, Vanilla, Chocolate.
This delicious Malbec is proof that very good wines don’t have to be expensive.
Vivino’s tips: 94 points by Tim Atkin (2018 Vintage)
Region: Argentina, Mendoza
Tasting notes: Dark Fruits, Ripe Red Fruits, Spices, Vanilla, Chocolate.
Luigi Bosca Malbec is an intense purple color wine, with distinct aromas of ripe red fruits, spices and black pepper.
The intensity of the entry in the mouth is complemented with the softness and sweetness of tannins.
A pure, full-bodied, well-structured red wine with character and all the juiciness typical of this variety.
A long lingering and elegant finish.
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 50% more. | In Best wines $20-$40
Region: Argentina, Mendoza
Tasting notes: Black Fruits, Cherry, Chocolate, Pepper
Incredible deep purple red color. Loads of spice and black and red cherry aromas with notes of chocolate.
The berry flavors really pop on the palate as the wine has both a full mid palate and lively acidity that leads to an incredibly long finish.
Vivino’s tips: Great value for money. Similar wines usually cost 2 times as much.
Region: Argentina, Mendoza
Tasting notes: Black Fruits, Cassis, Chocolate, Licorice, Tobacco.
Vivino’s tips: 94 by Wine Advocate
Region: Argentina, Mendoza
Tasting notes: Dark Fruits, Cassis, Cedar, Leather, Violet, Chocolate, Vanilla, Black Pepper.
Deep, saturated violet color with a blackish hue.
The nose presents a wide array of dark berry fruits with notes of delicate violets flowers as well as sweet clove spices, a touch of cedar and leather.
The palate offers rich cassis and black currant fruit flavors interwoven with hints of chocolate, vanilla and black pepper.
Vivino’s tips: 2013 vintage rates better than any other year for this wine
Region: France, Cahors.
Tasting notes: Black Fruits, Red Berries, Vanilla, Licorice, Chocolate, Graphite.
Deep, dark, dense red nose a sophisticated nose, with red berry fruit aromas and notes of vanilla and licorice taste.
It is a balanced, elegant wine, with smooth, supple tannins developing into woody notes that mingle with red berry fruit aromas.
This wine is rounded, harmonious and hearty, with a nice aftertaste.
Buying Guide to Malbec
It’s not just about which Malbec you should buy.
There are other important aspects like how to serve it, food pairings, and much more.
The below buying guide will give you a detailed overview of all these topics.
Malbec Overview
Here you find an overview of where Malbec is most commonly planted.
Grape
Malbec
ABV
13.5%–15%
Main Regions
Argentina: Mendoza, San Juan, Salta
France: Bordeaux, Loire Valley, Sud-Ouest
Other Regions
Australia
Chile
South Africa
USA: California, Washington, Oregon
Grape
Malbec
ABV
13.5%–15%
Main Regions
Argentina: Mendoza, San Juan, Salta
France: Bordeaux, Loire Valley, Sud-Ouest
Other Regions
Australia
Chile
South Africa
USA: California, Washington, Oregon
Malbec Taste Profile
These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Malbec.
Color
Deep Purple Red
Nose
Black Fruits
Cherry
Cocoa
Black Pepper
Violet
Palate
Black Fruits, Cherry
Vanilla, Chocolate
Dry
Medium Acidity
High Tannins
Full Body
Color
Deep Purple Red
Nose
Black Fruits
Cherry
Cocoa
Black Pepper
Violet
Palate
Black Fruits, Cherry
Vanilla, Chocolate
Dry
Medium Acidity
High Tannins
Full Body
Malbec Food Pairing
These are some food pairing suggestions for Malbec.
Appetizer
Roasted Mushroom,
Roasted Vegetables and Potatoes,
Black Beans, Beet, Onion
Meat
Asado,
Bufalo,
Beef Brisket,
Ostrich,
Lamb,
Pork Shoulder,
Duck
Fish
-
Cheese
Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola),
Semi-Hard (Cheddar)
Appetizer
Roasted Mushroom,
Roasted Vegetables and Potatoes,
Black Beans, Beet, Onion
Meat
Asado,
Bufalo,
Beef Brisket,
Ostrich,
Lamb,
Pork Shoulder,
Duck
Fish
-
Cheese
Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola),
Semi-Hard (Cheddar)
Serve and Store Malbec
Here you find some useful tips on how to serve and store Malbec.
Decant
30 mins
Glass
Burgundy
Serve at
59 - 64 °F
15 - 18 °C
Store for
5 to 10 years
Decant
30 mins
Glass
Burgundy
Serve at
59 - 64 °F
15 - 18 °C
Store for
5 to 10 years
Malbec Styles
There are at four Malbec styles you should know about.
Here is a quick overview for some regions and what to expect:
Argentina Malbec has a deep color, intense fruity flavors with a velvety texture. Expect higher acidity than the French version, and cocoa powder notes.
Cahors AOC (French Malbec) is a blend of at least 70% Malbec plus Merlot and Tannat. Has a moderate acidity and tannic structure.
USA Malbec is primarily produced in California, Oregon and Washington. Expects dark fruit and herbal notes.
Australia Malbec usually growth at lower altitude compared to Argentinian Malbec. Expect softer tannins, violet and aromatic notes.
Our Verdict
What to do next?
Read our wine tasting guide to enhance your tasting experience and taste like the pro!
Alternatively, why don’t you check out our guides on Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon vs Merlot, or the other red wines?
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Malbec.
What does Malbec mean?
Rumors are that the grape was named after an Hungarian peasant, named Malbec or Malbeck, who spread the grape all over France.
What is Malbec history?
Where does Malbec grow best?
Malbec is a grape variety that needs high-altitude, sun and heat to mature and bring deep color, tannins and the typical plum note.
When is the perfect time to drink Malbec?
Malbec and asado, i.e. BBQ, are a match made in heaven.
Is Malbec sweet?
Barbera is not sweet. It is a dry wine which means it contains less than 15 g/L, or sugar per liter.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Is there a World Malbec Day?
Yes, there is and it’s the 17th April, get ready!
Is Malbec a popular wine in the USA?
Yes, it is! It’s actually one of the most popular right after Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.
What are Malbec's synonyms?
Malbec has many synonyms, the most famous are Côt, Pressac, Cahors, Doux Noir, and Auxerrois.
What is one of the most famous Malbec blend?
One of the most famous Malbec blend is Bordeaux wine. Malbec is part of the so called six “Bordeaux Varietals”.
These are: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot.
What’s Malbec's typical price range?
Malbec is an affordable wine you can find a good bottle below $20 specially Mendoza, with little oak notes.
If you are after great bottles it will likely by a reserve and your price range will be up to $50, where oak ageing has added extra complexity to it.
Exceptional bottles will go up to $100-ish and the luxury bottles will be $100+, usually from France.
