$50 Malbec, Wow, You have come a long way

I have been a big fan of Malbec for what seems like a couple of decades. I think I first tasted it at a favorite little Argentinean restaurant Chimichurri Grill on 9th Avenue in NYC.

It is a great summer wine because it goes so well with grilled meats and barbecue. It is usually a great bargain. A wine I truly enjoy.

In a great NY Times article today, Argentina Opens the Tap for Malbec by Eric Asimov,  I learned that dedicated wine makers have been turning Malbec into a world class juice commanding as much as $50, some $100 a bottle.

I look forward to trying some of these high end Malbecs. Along with the recipe for Chimichurri Hanger Steak also in The Times today.  

Some of my favorite Malbecs include Crios Susana Balbo Malbec, Durigutti Malbec Classico Loca Linda, Ruca  and Familia Mayol Malbec to name a few.

These wines are eminently drinkable, generally mild but with tons of complex flavor of crushed cherries or fig, boysenberry and mulled currant fruit flavors and usually toasty/smoky oak. You also see words like "mocha and coffee laid" or "soil-driven aromas of blackberry, spices, licorice and fresh herbs" used to describe these wines. They are great food wines and each has its own interesting quality.

In Eric's words:

"Over all, these wines were juicy and straightforward, emphasizing fruit flavors with occasional nuances. They were consistent, generally unchallenging and crowd-pleasing. In short, what’s not to like?"

Women are changing the focus of wine making in Argentina writes Leslie Gevirtz for Reuters. 

"Susana Balboa, together with Laura Catena and Anabelle Sielecki, have helped to change the focus of the Argentina's centuries-old industry from quantity to quality. Inspired by the altitude of the Andes, the diversity of the grapes and a passion for what they do, the three women have brought back an artisanal approach to winemaking."

I find that there is a lot of passion that goes into these wines. It is what you would expect from a country like Argentina. A place of mixed ethnic groups largely influenced by European immigration and the source of much great art, music, cinema and food and wine. It is an exciting country and exciting wine.

Try some today.