Malbec’s for barbecues and steaks right?
Sure it is, but you don’t have to stop there. From measured to mighty – here’s a few bang on message and some with other ideas.
From Cahors down in southern France—where Malbec first earned its stripes—through Salta’s sky-high brightness, Spain’s savoury twist and Mendoza’s many faces, this grape proves it’s far more than just steak’s best friend. Long before Argentina turned it into probably the world’s favourite red, Malbec was adapting to soils and climates everywhere—sometimes racy and aromatic, sometimes deep and structured—showing why it’s found so many homes and so many voices.
Whether you’re a Malbec aficionado, or keen to explore there’s one here to suit you.
Lift & Purity - Serbal Malbec, Bodega Atamisque
- Region: Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina
- Unoaked freshness.Ripe red fruits - but not in-your-face.
- High, cool Tupungato slopes mean slower ripening, so this unoaked Malbec stays bright and lifted, letting pure red fruit and a whisper of mountain herbs shine without weighty oak
- Pairing: Grilled tuna steak with a sesame–ginger glaze – the wine’s fresh red fruit and bright acidity complement the meaty fish and savoury glaze without overwhelming it.
Aromatic Twist - Malbrontes Malbec Torrontes
- Region: Mendoza, Argentina
- Rich dark fruits - Power with a gentle perfume.
- A dash of Torrontés brings floral perfume to Mendoza’s familiar dark-fruited Malbec, softening its power with a gentle, aromatic lift that’s distinctly Argentine yet slightly playful.
- Pairing: Duck breast with an orange and pomegranate glaze – dark Malbec fruit pairs with rich duck, while Torrontés perfume picks up the citrus lift.
The Wild Card - Bodegas Altolandon 'Mil Historias' Malbec
- Region: Mancheula, Spain
- Dark cherries, black pepper and a savoury twist.
- From Spain’s high plateau, this is Malbec with a Mediterranean accent: darker cherry fruit, black pepper spice, and a savoury edge that speaks of hot days, cool nights, and limestone soils.
- Pairing: Lamb koftas with spiced couscous and yoghurt dressing – its peppery, savoury edge is perfect with gently spiced lamb and cooling yoghurt.
Old-world Structure - Chateau de Chambert Cahors Malbec
- Region: Cahors, France
- Inky deep and traditionally French
- Cahors’ clay-limestone terraces give dense colour, firm tannins, and a brooding, earthy depth—a reminder that Malbec’s homeland can still turn out wines of serious, old-school backbone.
- Pairing: Cassoulet with duck confit and Toulouse sausage – Cahors’ tannic backbone and earthy depth thrive alongside this hearty southern French classic.
Sky-high Intensity - Colome Estate Malbec
- Region: Salta, Argentina
- High altitude vineyards give a mineral, fresh streak
- Grown among the clouds at some of the world’s loftiest vineyards, Colomé’s Malbec marries rich black fruit with piercing freshness and a mineral streak that only extreme altitude can deliver.
- Pairing: Chargrilled ribeye steak with chimichurri – high-altitude freshness cuts through the fat while ripe black fruit matches the smoky char: the archetypal Argentine steak experience.
Silky Classic - Vina Cobos Bramare Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo
- Region: Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Complex and rich, long and structured
- From Malbec’s Argentine heartland, Bramare shows plush fruit, fine tannins, and seamless oak integration—a polished, elegant expression of why Luján de Cuyo set the modern Malbec benchmark.
- Pairing: Slow-braised beef short ribs with a red wine reduction – its polished oak and supple tannins marry beautifully with meltingly tender, wine-rich beef.
