Argentina is home to more than 100,000 acres of malbec vines.Trapiche
Malbec continues to be Argentina’s signature grape, but its success hasn’t stopped winemakers from taking advantage of the abundance of other varieties cultivated in vineyards across the country. Although most of the country’s wine production comes from Mendoza, we’re seeing more selections from vineyards in Salta in the northwest region of the country and Patagonia.
To my taste, the best value is found with cabernet sauvignons, which are classically styled dry reds with complexity and character. Inexpensive malbecs continue to be sweet and cheerful but risk being too simple and short. For a few dollars more per bottle, you’ll find malbec offers a significant step up in quality and drinkability.
The nine wines recommended here offer a snapshot of what’s interesting and enjoyable in Argentina right now. There are a variety of malbecs singled out, as you would expect, with two stylish cabernets and a satisfying red made from the bonarda grape that are sure to appeal to red-wine lovers with a taste for ripe and elegant wines.
Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Argentina), $22.95
Knit together with grapes grown in four different family vineyards in Mendoza, Catena’s cabernet offers a crowd-pleasing style, with appealing juicy fruit and cedar notes as part of a concentrated and smooth character. It’s a classic modern expression of cabernet with freshness and length to balance. Drink now to 2028. Available at the above price in Ontario ($20.95 until Oct. 13), $26.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $24.99 in Manitoba, $26.29 in Nova Scotia, $26.58 in Newfoundland.
Catena Malbec 2022 (Argentina), $22.95
This juicy and plump red wine is a blend of malbec from three different estate vineyards in Mendoza. The style delivers classic malbec character, with plum and violet notes accented by spice and cocoa notes from aging in French oak barrels. This has structure and freshness that make it easy to appreciate on its own or with a meal. Drink now to 2026. Available at the above price in Ontario, $26.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $27.99 in Saskatchewan, $24.99 in Manitoba and Prince Edward Island, $26 in New Brunswick, $26.29 in Nova Scotia, $26.74 in Newfoundland ($24.24 until Oct. 3).
Domaine Bousquet Malbec Organic 2022 (Argentina), $16.95
Organic malbec grapes from Bousquet’s estate in Tupungato, Mendoza, are used to great effect for this enjoyable red that offers tremendous value for the price. The style is ripe and complex, with a mix of fruity and earthy flavours offered as part of a nicely structured medium-bodied wine. Drink now to 2025. Available at the above price in Ontario ($14.95 until Oct. 13), $18.99 in British Columbia and Prince Edward Island, $16.04 in Manitoba, $16.85 in Quebec, $20.70 in New Brunswick.
Don David Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Argentina), $17.90
Produced by El Esteco winery in the Calchagui Valley in Salta, this is a fragrant and savoury expression of cabernet sauvignon. There’s serious structure and balance for the price, and a core of dark fruit with a complex mix of spice, tobacco and dark chocolate adds interest and enjoyment. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario, $18.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $19.99 in Saskatchewan, $18.49 in Manitoba, $21 in New Brunswick, $18.29 in Nova Scotia, $20.99 in Prince Edward Island, $20.44 in Newfoundland.
El Enemigo El Mirador Single-Vineyard Bonarda 2020 (Argentina), $27.95
Bonarda is a black grape variety (a.k.a. charbono or douce noir) that produces fruity and smooth wines, especially when the fruit comes from old vineyards such as El Mirador, which was established more than 80 years ago in San Martin, Mendoza. This is a dry red with ripe plum and berry fruit flavours mixing with spicy and herbal notes. The soft texture is balanced by silky tannins and refreshing acidity that make this truly satisfying. Drink now to 2026. Available in Ontario.
Finca Las Moras Malbec 2023 (Argentina), $11.95
A multiregion blend of malbec, this simple and fruity red wine offers red berry and cherry flavours with some spice notes. It’s a simple and soft style that’s ready to drink. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario ($10.95 until Oct. 13), various prices in Alberta, $11.49 in Saskatchewan.
Postales Del Fin Del Mundo Patagonia Malbec 2023 (Argentina), $13.95
A new release in Ontario, this unoaked malbec from Patagonia makes the most of its simple fruity personality. The style is dry, with sweeter red fruit flavours, which are amplified by the higher (14.2 per cent) alcohol content that contribute body and texture to the finished wine. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario ($12.95 until Oct. 13).
Trapiche Reserve Malbec 2022 (Argentina), $14.95
Trapiche delivers a rich and complex red wine that suggests dark fruit (cherry, blackberry), earthy and spicy flavours. There’s a citrusy edge to the flavours that adds vibrancy and length to a straightforward, well-made wine. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $15.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $16.99 in Saskatchewan, $15.49 in Manitoba, $14.40 in Quebec, $18.49 in New Brunswick, $16.69 in Nova Scotia, $18.99 in Prince Edward Island, $18.39 in Newfoundland.
Zuccardi Concreto Malbec 2022 (Argentina), $44.95
Since the Zuccardi family opened its new winemaking facility in the Uco Valley in 2016, visitors are welcomed into a cellar filled with concrete tanks used for fermentation and aging, with some large foudres on hand to age some red wines and provide subtle oak influence. There’s been a stylistic shift away from smaller French oak barrels, which can dramatically influence the flavour of a wine, to produce full-bodied and elegantly structured wines such as this. Concreto is a stylish expression of malbec, with layers of peppery, floral and savoury flavours. It’s a pure and polished red that’s really engaging. Drink now to 2033. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta, $52.15 in Manitoba, $43.25 in Quebec (2021 vintage), $50.19 in New Brunswick.