Salentein Reserve Malbec 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: Stunning concentration of aromas and flavors with excellent balance robust Argentine red wine. Round, polished tannins give a velvet mouth-feel. This wine was aged 14 months in French oak. Nightcap anyone? A richly hued wine that finishes with black plum, mocha and vanilla spice. The estate vineyards are located between 1,110 and 1,700 metres above sea level and benefit from five different microclimates. Drink: 2013-2017. 640854 14.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. December 6, 2014
Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Susana Balbo Signature Dominio Del Plata Malbec 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: Blueberry-blackberry pie aromas on the nose with enticing dark spices and smoke. Full-bodied, supple and smooth. Pair with roast beef or prime rib. Great price. Highly recommended. A terrific wine for the holidays, whether to give or to get. Drink: 2013-2018. 79798 14.50% XD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 92/100. June 27, 2015
Top Rated Red Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Terrazas De Los Andes Reserva Malbec 2011, Mendoza, Argentina: Love it! Meaty and mouth-watering with gorgeous ripe dark berries. Smooth and full-bodied. Juiciness and acidity cry out for a food companion, especially for the hearty meat variety. Decant 1 hour. Some blackberry and anise on the finish. The grapes for this wine are grown at an altitude of 1067 metres above sea level, which gives the wine balance and a nervy edge due to excellent drainage for the vintages and cool microclimate for the grapes. Pair this dark beauty with a juicy steak. Drink: 2013-2017. 29280 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 91/100. December 6, 2014
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Trivento Concha Y Toro Reserve Syrah Malbec 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: Deep, dark and rich, this brooding blend of Malbec (50%) and Syrah (50%) has dive-into-it aromas of blackberries, coffee, dark chocolate and smoke. The wine was aged for 8 months in French oak. Full-bodied but not heavy, wonderful concentration of flavour. This is Concha y Toro’s Argentine estate, and the wines punch well above their weight (and price point). Highly recommended. Drink: 2013-2016. 492702 13.50% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 89/100. September 27, 2014
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Trapiche Pure Malbec 2013, Mendoza, Argentina: Love the cedar brush, savoury notes on the top of this wine followed by fleshy black fruit. Terrific balance and complexity, especially at this price. Full-bodied, smooth and a real party pleaser. Wow. Drink: 2013-2018. 370924 14% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 91/100. February 1, 2015
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Trapiche Broquel Malbec 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: A remarkably well-priced Malbec from Argentina. Smooth, full-bodied and offering generous aromas of concentrated, intensely flavoured black fruits with a lovely touch of mocha and smoke on the finish. Drink: 2012-2016. 234385 14.50% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. February 1, 2015
Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Viña Alicia Paso De Piedra Malbec 2010, Luján De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina: A full-bodied Malbec with black and purple plum aromas and flavours. Malbec is the flagship red wine of Argentina: distinctive and rich and complex. This wine finished with a pleasant black fruit and toasty oak note. Try it with meat lovers' pizza tonight. Drink: 2013-2017. 301457 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. October 11, 2014
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Finca El Origen Gran Reserva Malbec 2011, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Produced by Viña Santa Carolina, this satisfying and robust Argentine red wine offers black fruit and dark spice flavours. Smooth and ready to drink when you are. Some attractive smoke, vanillin and toasty goodness from oak aging. Finishes with anise and blackberry. Try it with meat lovers' pizza tonight. Drink: 2013-2018. 65425 14.50% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. January 24, 2015
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Trivento Amado Sur Malbec Bonarda Syrah 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: This robust red wine is a blend of 80% Malbec, 10% Bonarda and 10% Syrah grapes that was matured for a year in oak. Bursting with aromas of black fruit, smoke and tar. This wine needs cellar time and decanting of 2 hours. Pencil led and black fruit on the finish. Try it with hearty meat dishes. Match with robust dishes of beef, pork or lamb. Drink: 2014-2017. 37036 14% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. January 10, 2015
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Fabre Montmayou Gran Reserva Malbec 2011, Mendoza, Argentina: Seductive blackberries and fleshy black plums on the nose, full-bodied with gorgeous velvet texture on the palate of this elegant Argentine red wine brought to us by Vistalba. Spice and cedar smoke on a long and persistent finish. A beautiful expression of Mendoza malbec. The grapes are grown on vines that are over 80 years old in Vistalba and Las Compuertas regions, and they're cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare, which is low, and aged in French barrel for 12 months. Pair with lamb chops. Yum! Drink: 2012-2017. 279802 15% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 90/100. February 7, 2015
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Vistalba Corte C Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Luján De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina: A smoky, savoury full-bodied Argentine wine with woodsmoke and card smoke on the nose. Great price. Pair with barbecued meats or even better have a traditional asada -- BBQ in Argentina. Drink: 2013-2017. 398818 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. February 21, 2015
Best Value Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Juana De Sol Reserva Malbec 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: This Malbec grapes for this robust Argentine wine are sourced from the single vineyard of Fincas De La Juanita. Super concentration, depth and richness! A full-on palate experience. It is extremely mouth-filling and demands hearty meat dishes. On the finish, there's mocha, dark chocolate, dark spice, smoke, anise, and the satisfaction that you paid far less than this wine is worth. This robust red was matured for 6 months in French oak barrels. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2013-2017. 288381 14% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. February 21, 2015
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Benmarco Dominio Del Plata Malbec 2013, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: A robust and vibrant red wine that offers lots of pleasure in every glass. Coffee, mocha and espresso on a black fruit layers of full-bodied goodness. Smoky to the finish. Unfined and unfiltered before bottling and produced by Dominio del Plata. Try it with hamburgers or meat lovers' pizza. Drink: 2014-2016. 657601 14% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. February 18, 2017
Best Value Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: A big, dark-fruited Argentine red wine. Aromas of blackberries and fleshy black plums. Supple and delicious. Finishes with dark spice and woodsmoke. Pair with gourmet hamburgers. Drink: 2013-2018. 50849 14.50% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 92/100. January 8, 2017
Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: A full-bodied, rich red Argentine wine with aromas and flavours black plum, pepper and dark spices on the finish. This muscular wine will elbow its way in beside a rare steak or prime rib. It's strong, but not overpowering like the ideal dinner companion conversation. Malbec is Argentina's flagship red wine grape, and this producer excels at the style of wine. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2013-2018. 105956 14% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. March 21, 2015
Best Value Red Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Punta De Flechas Malbec 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: Juicy and supple with good acidity for hearty meat dishes and tangy sauces. Full-bodied and mouth-filling. A generously flavoured wine with fleshy black plums and blackberries. Drink: 2013-2019. 399402 14% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. April 4, 2015
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