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Top 5 Mendoza Malbecs Under 10 Dollars

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By | March 18, 2010

In a world with tens of thousands of wines to choose from, the craze these days has revolved around the flagship of Argentine Wine, Malbec. Still only breaking onto the scene on shelves in the U.S., Malbec is becoming known as an easy drinking, fruity wine that goes with many different types of food. But what to buy?

Malbec now comes in all different price points from the under 10 dollar “value” wines to the mid-range “premium” (12-19 dollars) wines to the high-end “ultra-premium” (over 20 dollars). Looking at price alone is seldom criteria enough to make an informed purchasing decision about wine (hence all the ratings, tastings, and blogging about wine).

Thus, we started a three-part series, exclusively about Malbec from Argentina (mostly from Mendoza where 80% of Argentine wine comes from)—which we do consider ourselves experts in since this is our business. Hopefully it will help you make informed decisions about what to drink in each category.

Value Wines Under $10 USD

In the category of value Malbec, you will not find grand, age-worthy wines that will be on any all-time lists. What you will find are great quality-to-price ratio wines that are fundamentally easy drinking, fruit-forward, and most importantly, affordable. Here is a list of the top 5 best value Malbecs for under 10 dollars per bottle.

1. San Gimignano Reservado Malbec 2007
Grape Variety: 100% Malbec
Vineyard: Finca Doña Sara
Growing Area: Maipú – Mendoza – Argentina
Cuisine: Excellent option with red meat, poultry and pasta. Serve between 16º and 18ºC.
Tasting Notes: Classic violet-red Malbec color with some orange reflexes typical of the bottle evolution. The nose has ripe red fruits with oak notes, vanilla, leather and coffee. In the mouth, plum and plum jam attack the palate with a slightly creamy body and a more savory finish. Soft and well structured texture, round, ample, with mature tannins and medium body.

2. Punto Final Malbec 2008                                                                                                                                                    Malbec 97%, Cabernet Franc 3%.                                                                                                                                        Tasting Notes: The color almost gives away its power; and if not, the aromas of marinated meat, plum and blackberry essence will. Saturated, thick and modern, but made right. Perfect with beef.

3. Quara Malbec: This is a Cafayate Valley Malbec from the North of Argentina in the province of Salta. Salta is the second major viticultural region of Argentina after Mendoza. This wine has an intense ruby red color with purple tones. In the nose, clove and plum with hints of coffee. Well balanced in the mouth with ripe dark fruits and soft tannins.

4. ZOLO MALBEC
100 % Malbec
Vineyard location: Agrelo, Tupungato and La Consulta.
Our Malbec grapes are selected from our best vineyards located in the best wine-growing region of Mendoza. These terroirs provide a wonderful expression of fruit and variety concentration. This wine has an attractive and intense violet color, with black fruits, berries and raspberries flavors and finish complexity and elegance.

5. Ikella, Appellation: Agrelo                                                                                                                                                     85% Malbec, 15% Merlot
Vineyard: Agrelo
Nose: Fresh red fruits, particularly strawberries and raspberries,
with watermelon and quince notes.
Mouth: Excellent balance in the mouth with round tannins and a long finish.

To give a few wines a try for a reasonable price click here.

By Daniel Karlin, Founder, Anuva Wines

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