Malbec

Malbec is the strong-but-silent type. It's dark, smooth, and unexpectedly charming. It’s rich without being overwhelming, and bold without being aggressive.

Malbec is Velvety, Jammy, and Smoky. If you like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Zinfandel, you may enjoy Malbec for its similar profile.

Flavors

Blueberry cobbler

Plum jam

Dark chocolate truffle

Vanilla

Smoked papkria

Imagine curling up in your favorite oversized chair at your grandparent's house with a warm homemade blueberry scone.

Malbec is Cabernet’s more easygoing cousin. It's softer, juicier, and often showing off plum, blackberry, and cocoa instead of Cabernet’s darker, more brooding fruit. American Malbecs, especially from California and Washington, tend to lean into ripe black cherry, blueberry, and baking spice, with a plush texture that makes them super approachable. Even if tasting notes mention chocolate or jammy fruit, Malbec is almost always dry, it just delivers its richness with velvety smoothness.

Acid

Malbec offers softer acidity, creating smooth, plush wines with a velvety finish.

Tannin

Malbec offers bold, cotton-ball tannins, especially in Argentine examples, though they’re often smoothed by plush fruit.

Alcohol

Malbec usually ranges from 13.5–15%. In California and Washington, plush fruit and soft tannins can mask higher alcohol making it feel smoother than it really is (like a sneaky ninja buzz). More structured U.S. plantings tend to show alcohol more clearly.

Serving Temp

60–65°F (just under room temp)

Chill for 15–20 minutes in the fridge before opening, or decant and serve slightly cool for a smoother taste.

Food Pairing

Takeout: Beef Emanadas

Snack: BBQ chips

From the fridge: Leftover roast beef and sautéed mushrooms

Elevated Pairing: Patagonian lamb with chimichurri

Where you'll find it

Malbec originated in southwest France, but it rose to fame in Argentina, where the sun and altitude gave it a smoother, plusher style.

California

Grown throughout the Central Coast and Napa Valley. It's fruit-forward, soft, and plush.

Washington

Washington produces dark, structured Malbec with balance, spice, and finesse, especially in the Yakima Valley

Texas

Texas Malbec is bold and ripe with spicy notes and plenty of sunshine flavor

Idaho (Snake River Valley)

Bold and inky but with higher acidity; still emerging but shows real promise

Oregon (Southern AVAs)

Still emerging, but juicy, with blueberry and floral notes; lighter and fresher compared to Napa styles.

The Last Drop

Malbec is known for its deep purple color. Both its color and tannin come from it's thick skins. If you want less tannin punch, pair it with food that has some fat to smooth it out.