Hey RR

[houstoncat]

Going to a friends place in Fairhope, Al next weekend. we would like to get a couple of bottles of a good malbec as His wife likes it any suggestions?

[mountainmutt]

Houston,

I drink a lot of Malbec.

RR's list is excellent. You won't go wrong with any of them.

The best rated Malbec's tend to be from South America, Argentina, in particular. I have have found the Chilean Malbec's are a little less pricy and rarely disappointing.

I provided a Wine Spectator list below with prices ranging from $7 to $3o for a few more choices and a brief description of each.

To be just f%@!ing "A" honest (Id like to hear RR's opinion on my the subject), Bota Box makes a great tasting Malbec. It is Californian, and it only costs bout $20 bucks at Specs for a 3 liter box or the equivalent of 4 bottles.

It is as good as any of the wines listed below, even if it may not be considered so, by wine snobs because, it comes in a box. The Mutt buys a box a week. Actually, I go to to Spec's and load up on boxed wines about once a month. I especially like the red blends, the shiraz, and the malbec's. In my opinion, the dryer more traditional wines like the Cabs, Merlots and Bordeaux's are tend to be noticeably better by the bottle.

I promise you will not be at all disappointed with the red blends. In fact, you will not be able to discern a bottled blend from a boxed blend. Boxed wines have come a long way and are actually developing a growing rapidly growing audience of wine drinkers meaning the the prices are sure to increase.

If the intent is to treat your friends wife, I would probably shell out $40 to $50 for a good Bordeaux and $20 for the Bota Box Malbec. Let the ladies drink the

Bordeaux, while you and your buddy have a fantastic time with the Bota Box Malbec.



Mendel 2017 Estate Grown & Bottled Malbec (Mendoza); 93 points, $25. Great midtier value is found in this full-force Malbec from a powerful vintage. A blueberry pie aroma is ripe to the max, alongside a whiff of graphite. The fully extracted palate bursts with cassis and berry flavors, while the more this breathes, the less heavy it seems. Drink through 2028. Vine Connections. –Michael Schachner

Chakana 2017 Estate Selection Malbec (Mendoza); $27, 92 points. Pure blackberry and black-cherry aromas are elevated by a note of exotic Middle Eastern spice. In the mouth, this is firm and tight, with a touch to tartaric bite. Common top-line Malbec flavors of blackberry, cassis, raisin, baking spices and chocolate finish under control. Drink through 2025. Kysela Père et Fils. –M.S.

Georges Vigouroux 2016 Château de Haute-Serre (Cahors); $24, 92 points. Full of black fruits, this wine has structure, density and concentration. At the same time, it shows restraint and even elegance, giving a poised statement of Malbec. Juicy acidity at the end adds freshness. Drink the wine from 2020. Baron Francois Ltd. Editors’ Choice. –Roger Voss

Lamadrid 2017 Single Vineyard Reserva Malbec (Agrelo); $20, 92 points. A full nose of cassis and black plum aromas offers an open invitation to an intense palate. More black fruit flavors come with a touch of dark chocolate, while it feels smooth, dense and chewy on the finish. Drink this full-bodied and affordable gem through 2025. Vino del Sol. Editors’ Choice. –M.S.

Finca Decero 2017 Remolinos Vineyard Malbec (Agrelo); $22, 91 points. Jammy blackberry and cassis aromas are ripe and include an exotic note of cardamom. A healthy palate is structured in layers, while the acidity on this Malbec registers on the low side, which brings richness to the fore. Flavors of blackberry, dark plum, baking spices and chocolate are steady on a focused finish. Drink through 2026. Vintus LLC. –M.S.

Château Labastide Haute 2017 Malbec (Cahors); $17, 90 points. This ancient estate has produced a richly structured wine. Still young, its juicy acidity is developing into the complex, dark tannins. With fruitiness still up front, the wine needs some more time to fill out. Drink from 2021. Wine Circle. –R.V.

Lionel Osmin & Cie 2016 Malbec (Cahors); $12, 90 points. This well-balanced wine shows both the tannins of Cahors and the fruit. It has structure, with a dry core that contrasts with the rich black fruits, laced with acidity and full of potential. Drink from 2020. Vintage Imports, Inc. Best Buy. –R.V.

Quady North 2016 Malbec (Applegate Valley); $25, 90 points. This is pure varietal, offering juicy black cherry fruit. It’s streaked with gunmetal and licorice, and lightly kissed with one-quarter new French oak that leaves a trailing impression of baker’s chocolate. –Paul Gregutt

The Infinite Monkey Theorem 2017 Malbec (Grand Valley); $25, 88 points. A black plum aroma carries the nose, coddled by notes of sarsaparilla and white pepper. The polished palate leans on bright acidity to keep the red plum, raspberry and cherry flavors tasting fresh, while tannins tickle the tip of the tongue. Ripe blackberry makes an appearance on the finish, lingering pleasantly with tart acidity. –Fiona Adams

Barefoot NV Malbec (California); $7, 86 points. A grape jam aroma and flavor gives this wine an easy, approachable style. It feels soft in texture and ends ripe and fruity. Best Buy. –Jim Gordon

Published on January 22, 2020

[houstoncat]

My wife is the wine drinker im trying to develop a taste for it. I like the Argentinian malbecs ok.

Not sure why but i like the spanish reds no type in particular i am Not that sophisticated but when we have gone to a couple of places i enjoyed the wine maybe they are a bit sweeter with little aftertaste.

A few years back we went to Fredricksbugh to the winery restaurant and had a great cabernet very peppery going down and a clean finish. I got the name and vintage but have not run across a bottle as good. My luck find one i really like and cant find it anywhere😁

My brother in law knows his wines when we go to a place in Bar Harbor called Havana we usually close the place tasting flight and the drinking one we like. Expensive I know but fun.

Heck ask RR im sure he would be happy to discuss.

You g man i cant tell the difference in a 10 dollar bottles d a 50$ bottle. Sad I know. My wife says though you can get a good 12$ bottle of wine so i guess its just what you like

RR i think knows his wines bought a malbec for my wife off the list👍. Got valentines day coming up so Ill be looking though we will probably go out..

Cabs are a bit heavy for my taste other then the one I had in Fredricksberg. One thing i do note is tastes change. I like wine a bit more then i did a few years ago.

Now my idea of fun is a whiskey tasting cant do a lot of it but it be fun. Trying to get mama to spring for a bottle of 12 year old pappys for a retirement gift. No joy so far🤣

[houstoncat]

My wife is the wine drinker im trying to develop a taste for it. I like the Argentinian malbecs ok.

Not sure why but i like the spanish reds no type in particular i am Not that sophisticated but when we have gone to a couple of places i enjoyed the wine maybe they are a bit sweeter with little aftertaste.

A few years back we went to Fredricksbugh to the winery restaurant and had a great cabernet very peppery going down and a clean finish. I got the name and vintage but have not run across a bottle as good. My luck find one i really like and cant find it anywhere😁

My brother in law knows his wines when we go to a place in Bar Harbor called Havana we usually close the place tasting flight and the drinking one we like. Expensive I know but fun.

Heck ask RR im sure he would be happy to discuss.

i cant tell the difference in a 10 dollar bottles d a 50$ bottle. Sad I know. My wife says though you can get a good 12$ bottle of wine so i guess its just what you like

RR i think knows his wines bought a malbec for my wife off the list👍. Got valentines day coming up so Ill be looking though we will probably go out..

Cabs are a bit heavy for my taste other then the one I had in Fredricksberg. One thing i do note is tastes change. I like wine a bit more then i did a few years ago.

Now my idea of fun is a whiskey tasting cant do a lot of it but it be fun. Trying to get mama to spring for a bottle of 12 year old pappys for a retirement gift. No joy so far🤣