Make Mine a Malbec

For a classic Argentinian Malbec, try Mendel Mendoza

Here we offer a suite of top-notch wines picked to celebrate, for the eighth consecutive year, the largest wine celebration on the planet: World Malbec Day on April 17.

Times wine expert James Viner uncovers three stylish bottles of the chic, worldwide crowd-pleasing grape variety – that won’t break the bank.

HIGH STREET CHOICE

2017 Dom Tomas Terroir Selection Malbec
San Juan, Argentina (£7.99, Aldi)

Dom Tomas Malbec won't break the bank and is available from Aldi
This textbook Argentine malbec ticks all the boxes and is silk for the price of cotton. Aromas of violets, black cherries, blueberries, chocolate and spice with plump, lavish splendour – this sleek, damsony wine belongs in your glass.

An ideal accompaniment to a rib-eye steak, chilli, enchiladas, bangers and mash, or spaghetti bolognese. A total knockout, load up for summer barbecues, too – this is a delightful wine. Bravo Aldi! Alc 14%

CLASSY KIWI

2014 Te Awa, Left Field Malbec, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
(£15-16, GP Brands/Eton Vintners/Dulwich Vintners/New Zealand House of Wine)

A great first step into New Zealand Malbec can be found in the Kiwi Te Awa
Made by leading Hawkes Bay producer Te Awa, here’s an affordable, scrumptious and easy-drinking introduction into Kiwi Malbec. It’s vivid, deeply-coloured and loaded with spicy cassis, plum, liquorice, anise, mulberry and cocoa pizzazz. This vivacious malbec has been aged in French oak for 18 months, delivering ripe, well-integrated tannins and a long, savoury finish.

It has bags of character and is just fine on its own, or paired with grilled/roasted red meats or mature strong cheese. A red that has something for everyone, I’ll venture. Alc 13.5%

MUST-TRY MENDOZA BEAUTY

2014 Mendel Mendoza Malbec, Argentina
(£16, The Wine Society)

For a classic Argentinian Malbec, try Mendel Mendoza
You’ll especially adore this high-altitude vinous superstar if you like lusty, heady and statesmanlike reds that pair exquisitely with meaty fare (especially a juicy steak from a cow that grazed on the pampas).
Ethereal black fruits, spice, dark chocolate and herbs sashay across the full-bodied frame, meeting velvety, finely-crafted, lacy tannins. You can’t help but revere the amalgamation of mid-palate brio and overall sparkle/energy. This is an aristocratic malbec for wine aficionados at an exceedingly advantageous price.

Let it breathe for an hour before serving and get that T-bone steak ready! Nice one, maestro winemaker Roberto de la Motta. £16 is a small price to pay for this degree of majesty. Cheers! Alc 14.5%

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