On the grapevine
SAM WYLIE-HARRIS ON... RICH REDS TO RAISE A GLASS TO WORLD MALBEC DAY
SOME styles come and go, but malbec is a label we hold close to our hearts, season after season. Violet-scented, vibrant, full-bodied and generous, malbec’s a magnet for anyone who
loves wine with a warm personality.
TTD Morador Malbec 2019, Mendoza, Argentina
(£8.50, Sainsbury’s) Fairtrade producer La Casa del Rey are behind this solid own-label malbec. Big, rich and round, with soft tannins, pronounced blackcurrant and damson fruit with violet notes and a flick of spice.
Opi Malbec 2020, Mendoza, Argentina
(£9.99, Laithwaite’s) An excellent example of how the mighty malbec doesn’t have to weigh you down with too much intensity, but still stimulates and feels luxurious and velvety. With pretty notes of blossom, purple fruit and spice, it’s expressive with ripe blackberry, plums, touch of smoke, vanilla, and for delicate palates, elegance on the finish.
Zuccardi Los Olivos Malbec 2019, Mendoza, Argentina
(£10.99, Taurus Wines) A leading light, Zuccardi produce some of the most thrilling malbecs in the country, and this is a glorious example of how silky and pure the wines can be. Soft as a velvet cushion, with enticing aromas of fresh berries and violets, a generous core of cassis, blackberry and plums topped with a twist of pepper, it’s beautifully balanced with great depth and lovely, long, finish.
La Mechita Familia Zuccardi Malbec 2020, Mendoza, Argentina
(£11.99, Virgin Wines) From the same famed producer we have what’s cited as a modern malbec – think fruit-forward and full of vivacity and freshness, rather than heavy and flat. Ripe black fruits are lifted by a perfumed, cherry nose, with hints of vanilla, spice and cedar riding on the bright, fruity finish.
M&S Susana Balbo Tradicion Malbec 2019, Uco Valley, Argentina
(£12, Marks & Spencer stores) The Uco Valley is the up and coming region to have on your radar (south west of Mendoza city), where reds like this boast a superb, mineral freshness. Perfectly poised with scents of wild flowers, forest fruits and sweet vanilla drawing you in, there’s no end of blueberry, blackberry and spice, but most importantly, a very long, fresh finish.
Luigi Bosca Malbec 2018, Mendoza, Argentina
(£14.95, Slurp.co.uk) Rich and intense: Tick. A fanfare of florals on the nose: Tick. The most moreish malbec that cries out for the best cut of steak: Tick. Think delicious depth, remarkably expressive (as you’d expect from this A-list producer), we’re talking a rhapsody of violet infused fruits and sweet spice preceding the silky, sumptuous, graceful finish.