1919 Malbec

Every now and then, you come across something good that rose from the ashes of the 2008 economic crash — take malbec, for instance. Until ’08, cabernet drinkers were paying anywhere from $40 to $200 for cab. But the economic bust sent those cab fans searching the wine shelves for alternatives: perhaps zinfandel, syrah, or an unknown like tannat? The answer was, and is, another Bordeaux wine called malbec. The grape was grown in Argentina for some time, and the wine was, according to its fans, outstanding. Argentine growers were able to produce and sell malbec at prices lower than producers from other countries could, and the result — high quality malbecs at reasonable prices that appealed to selective but price-conscious consumers. Malbec from Argentina still has the same profile, but like any varietal, some are better than others. We’re convinced that the best malbec produced today is Finca Lopez Noceti’s “1919.” The flavor profile and the price, less than $15, make this wine a must-try. Give 1919 Malbec a taste test of your own, and let us know what you think.