The 10 Best Malbecs For Beginners

Though the malbec grape comes from southwest France, since the grape found its way to Argentina in the mid-to-late 1800s, it has become the South American country's flagship grape. Now, more than three-quarters of the world's malbec plantings are found in Argentina, highlighting the country's optimal growing conditions for stellar malbec. If you're a red wine lover who's unfamiliar with the variety, it's well worth a taste.

With that in mind, using my experience as a Certified Specialist of Wine, WSET Level 3 holder, and wine writer who has traveled to the main malbec growing regions of Argentina and sampled wines from many producers, I put together a list of malbec bottles that are perfect for beginners. If you've never tried malbec, or if you haven't tried that many producers, these bottles will allow you to discover it in all its range.

I've included bottles from Argentina's key growing regions, as well as some from France, and a few minor players in the international malbec landscape. With these bottles, you'll be able to get a solid sense of the grape, and discover some excellent bottles to serve with your next Argentine-influenced asado (which differs from other types of grilling).

Commonly referred to as the black wine of Cahors, malbec growing in the southwest of France is one of a kind. Compared with the malbecs from Argentina, this French region produces wines that tend to be more rustic, tannic, and savory, highlighting the distinctions in terroir. Château du Cèdre is a family run winery that has been making wine for over half a century, showcasing the potential of the Cahors region.

Château du Cèdre Cahors Malbec is made with fruit sourced from 35-year-old vines and fermented with indigenous yeast. The vineyards experience a specific microclimate thanks to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, the Pyrenees Mountains, and the Mediterranean Sea, resulting in a unique terroir that is displayed in the wines.

The winemaking is low intervention, followed by 18 months of maturation in large oak casks and barrels. The wine boasts ripe dark fruit aromas with notes of plum, blackberry, and dark cherry. An earthy essence with hints of leather, smoke, and baking spice balances out the dark fruits in this bold and structured wine. It's an excellent pairing for grilled meat or hearty stews, making this a gastronomic malbec for beginners to discover its potential in France.

For another taste of malbec straight from its homeland, Gérard Bertrand Heritage An 1152 Cahors is a solid choice. The producer has vineyards across southern France, showcasing the wide range of diversity across this part of the country. Considering Gérard Bertrand's reputation and reliability as a brand, this malbec is a great choice for beginners to taste, as it expertly expresses the variety and its terroir.

Heritage An 1152 Cahors is made with fruit from plots with limestone and gravel soils and optimal growing conditions for malbec. After fermentation, the wine matures in concrete for a year, imparting a smooth and rounded texture without any aromatic influence. The wine is concentrated with bold aromas of dark berries, black currant, licorice, and violet. Thanks to the concrete aging, the wine is smooth and structured, distinguishing it from some more tannic versions of Cahors malbec. It's a delicious match for meaty mains, especially those cooked on the grill or with rich sauces.

Bodega Catena Zapata was founded at the start of the 1900s, and since, has played an important role in the Argentine wine industry. The winery helped reinvigorate malbec growth in the country and promoted the benefits of planting vines at high altitudes. The fourth-generation family-run winery really started to see developments in the 1960s, when it began highlighting the nuances of vineyard terroir and its effect on the wines.

The Catena Malbec has been produced for 30 years, and during this time, the winery has finetuned the optimal growing conditions and winemaking practices for malbec. It's now produced with fruits from three different vineyards between 3,000 and 4,800 feet in elevation. The wine is fermented with wild yeast and matured in used French oak barrels that impart minimal aromatic influence on the wine. The wine displays notes of red and dark fruits, like blackberries, plums, and cherries, alongside hints of violet and lavender. Subtle influences from the oak aging infuse hints of vanilla, leather, and baking spices. Catena Malbec pairs well with grilled red meats, as well as roast poultry, salmon, or red sauce pasta dishes.

Kaiken Wines was founded at the start of the 2000s by the Chilean winemaker behind the successful Montes Winery. With the goal of showcasing the terroir surrounding both sides of the Andes, Kaiken quickly became a success. Located in the Mendoza region, the winery has evolved over the past two decades, mastering the expression of the region with its wines, like the Estate Malbec.

Kaiken places an importance on its vineyards and their natural environments, with sustainable practices and wines that highlight the nuances of the land. In fact, the Kaiken Estate collection aims to display each variety in its purest form in the context of the vineyards where it grows. The Estate Malbec is made with fruit from vineyards in Luján de Cuyo that sit over 3,000 feet above sea level.

The grapes are harvested by hand, fermented, and then about a third of the wine is aged in French oak barrels, ensuring the fruit remains prominent with the oak acting as a complement. The wine features fresh aromas of red fruit like raspberries and cherries, along with hints of violet and sweet spices. The gentle oak influence infuses notes of chocolate and vanilla, though the fruit remains front and center. This malbec pairs nicely with saucy pasta dishes or even pizza, and naturally, with grilled red meat.

As the first female winemaker in Argentina, Susana Balbo is a pioneer in the industry, leading the way for women winemakers in the country. The family-run winery is located in Mendoza, Argentina, where it has been producing stellar wines for over two decades. With vineyards in a few different geographic indications around Mendoza, the winery's range of wines is diverse. Crios is one of the more approachable selections, showcasing Argentina's main grapes and growing regions with freshness and a dedication to quality.

The Crios Malbec is made with hand-harvested fruit from vineyards in the Valle de Uco at around 3,500 feet above sea level. After the fruit is fermented the wine is partially aged in French oak barrels. The result is a fresh wine with fruit-forward aromas of cherries and other red fruits, violet, as well as hints of mocha and baking spices from the oak influence. This is an excellent pairing with grilled meats, and thanks to the wine's bright acidity, works well with red sauce dishes and hard cheeses.

Zuccardi is a third-generation family-run winery that values the nuances of the Argentine terroir, notably in the Uco Valley. It produces a wide range of wines classified into several lines that showcase different qualities. Regional wines feature representative varieties and growing regions, providing a great foundation for malbec newbies to discover how the grape adapts to its environment.

The Serie A Malbec is made with grapes grown in high altitude vineyards near the Andes, ranging from around 3,000 to 4,500 feet. These conditions result in plenty of sunshine and cool nights, providing the opportunity for the grapes to ripen fully while preserving their acidity. The wine is fermented with native yeasts and matures in French oak barrels for added complexity. Zuccardi's Serie A Malbec boasts ripe red fruit aromas with hints of plum and cherry. An herbaceous element adds a savory edge to this fruity, vibrant wine. As with most malbec wines, it's a hit with grilled meat, but you could step outside the box and pair it with a mushroom risotto.

Founded by two Italians in the late '90s, Altos Las Hormigas showcases the high altitude terroir of Mendoza as an optimal growing region for malbec. Over the years, the winery expanded operations, and with it, a deeper understanding of the Argentine terroir and potential for top quality wines was gained. With vineyards in a few different areas, Altos Las Hormigas wines are a great starting point for consumers to discover malbec, as they feature the fruit front and center, rather than masking it with oak influence.

The Terroir Valle de Uco is made with fruit grown in the Uco Valley, which experiences a climate influenced by altitude from the surrounding mountains. The wines tend to be well balanced and display fresh acidity due to the growing conditions. After the grapes are hand harvested from a few different vineyards, they are fermented in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts to fully express the fruit and terroir. Finally, the wine is matured in concrete tanks and then in the bottle. Notes of graphite, thyme, and dark fruits like blackberry, blueberry, and cassis are present. With smooth tannins and a juicy acidity, this is a great match for roast vegetables, hard cheeses, and grilled beef or lamb.

Santa Julia Winery was founded by Julia Zuccardi of the iconic Argentine winemaking family. Its first vineyards were certified organic at the end of the '90s, paving the way for environmentally sustainable practices to follow. In 2020, Santa Julia released a series of natural wines, including El Burro Malbec Natural. All of the wines in this line are made with minimal intervention in the vineyard and the cellar.

The malbec grapes are hand harvested from the Maipú region in Mendoza, Argentina, and fermented with natural yeasts. None of the wines in this natural series is made with added sulfites, and they're all unfiltered prior to bottling. The wine displays fresh red fruit aromas of plums, raspberries, and cherries, along with delicate floral notes and a touch of minerality. Thanks to its juicy acidity and fruit-forward flavor, this is an excellent wine to serve chilled with grilled meats or vegetables, or alongside a cheese board.

Peirano Estate Vineyards was founded by an Italian immigrant to Lodi, California, at the end of the 1800s. Over a century later, the fourth generation of the family run winery began producing wine with the estate grapes, moving the business from a purely agricultural one to a winery. Now, five generations of the family have worked to highlight the Lodi appellation in California through the wines.

The Heritage Collection Estate Grown Malbec is made with fruit from Lodi, where growing conditions mimic those of Mendoza in Argentina. With large diurnal ranges that allow the fruit to ripen during the day and retain acidity at night, this is an excellent place for sourcing quality malbec. The grapes are hand harvested and fermented, before being aged in partially new French and American oak barrels. The wine is richly fragrant, with notes of raspberry, cherry, plum, and cranberry, as well as savory herbs. Hints of baking spice and oak from the aging mingle with the vibrant fruitiness of the wine, offering balance on the palate. This wine pairs beautifully with grilled lamb, roasted poultry, or mushroom and eggplant dishes.

With its first harvest in the late 1980s, Montes Winery quickly became a staple of the Chilean wine landscape. Over the years, Montes purchased and planted numerous vineyards around the country and expanded its winery operations, broadening the scope of its Chilean wine production. The Montes Alpha Series is a premium line that highlights the quality of this South American terroir.

Montes Alpha Malbec is made with fruit grown in the Colchagua Valley. After fermentation, half of the wine is transferred to new French oak barrels for a year, which impart an aromatic character to the wines, while introducing small quantities of oxygen that assist maturation. The wine displays notes of bright red fruit like strawberries, tart cherries, and plums, along with hints of wildflowers and baking spices. Subtle notes of vanilla from the oak aging are present, alongside smooth tannins and a vibrant acidity. Serve this fruit-forward wine with grilled pork, chicken, or a hearty meat stew.

To choose this selection of malbec wines for beginners, I considered the key malbec growing regions. Argentina is a significant source of malbec worldwide so it was the focus of this list, but I made sure to include bottles from other important regions to highlight the grape's range. These bottles are mostly entry level wines from reputable producers, offering a suitable foundation for beginners to discover malbec, as well as a few others to diversify the selection. These wines are all excellent paired with food, offering a great place for less familiar consumers to start their exploration of malbec.