varietal: Malbec

Country of Origin: Argentina

Retail Price: $15

Tasting Notes: Dark ruby red, this elegant malbec has aromas of red currants, blackberries and plums, with notes of pepper and clove. Flavors of black cherries and juicy plums fill the mouth with hints of cedar and vanilla on the finish.

Country of Origin: Argentina

Appellation: Mendoza

Retail Price: $21

Tasting Notes: This Felino malbec carries a deep magenta hue and aromas of dark berries and anise. On the palate, intense, pure flavors of just-picked raspberries, black plum and graphite unfold in velvety layers. Exotic notes of ginger and white pepper carry through the mid-palate to intermingle with firm tannins and notes of cedar on the finish.

Country of Origin: Argentina

Appellation: Mendoza

Retail Price: $37

Tasting Notes: Argentina’s flying winemaker shows her talents with this one. Malbec and 8% cabernet make this a uniquely styled wine. Aromas of violets, black cherries, and plums dominate. Rich and supple, with a strong tannic backbone, this wine finishes with vanilla, tobacco, and dark chocolate flavors.

Country of Origin: Argentina

Appellation: Uco Valley

Retail Price: $43

Tasting Notes: A Bordeaux blend from Argentina’s Uco Valley that is 62% malbec, this wine is smooth and elegant, with fine tannins, complex black fruit notes and a long finish that would indicate ageability.

Country of Origin: Argentina

Appellation: Lujan de Cuyo

Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: Intense with sweet tannins, ripe red fruits, cassis and black pepper tones. A pure and full-bodied malbec. This bold gem pairs nicely with braised short ribs, stews and game.

Country of Origin: Argentina

Appellation: Mendoza

Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: A classic malbec: Big, brooding, black fruit, then rich earth, truffles and dark cocoa are at the front. The vineyard is at its core, always evident with the thread of minerality that the deep alluvial cobblestones lend. This wine is so elegant in the mouth, with fresh-picked blackberries, hints of chocolate and wisps of smoked bacon.

Country of Origin: Argentina

Appellation: Agrelo

Retail Price: $23

Tasting Notes: The vineyard is located at 3,500 feet in Mendoza’s sub-region of Agrelo where the grapes are hand picked. The wine, aged in French oak barrels for 14 months, is a superb example of modern Argentine winemaking. A floral nose leads to concentrated flavors of sweet/tart red fruits with nuances of cedar, spice, and vanilla. The tannins are firm and linger with some lip-smacking acidity. Pair this with a good steak!

Country of Origin: Argentina

Appellation: Salta

Retail Price: $28

Tasting Notes: This is definitely the whole milk of malbec, with some of the highest-elevation fruit on the planet. The grapes have a rich concentration of flavors that show dramatically through every sip. Savor this malbec with a grilled steak or simply after dinner by a fire on a cold winter night.