Malbec

Malbec is known for its bold and expressive character, producing rich, dark and fruity wines. It’s high in tannins and alcohol, with a full body – making it a perfect choice for oak ageing.

Malbec packs a punch with dark fruit flavours that range from raspberry and blackberry to cherry and plum, but its taste can vary depending on where the grape is grown. Secondary flavours include vanilla, chocolate and sweet tobacco.

In cooler climates, such as its native France, Malbec’s flavours can include black cherry, raspberry, blackcurrant and black pepper.

By contrast, the high altitudes of Mendoza, Argentina, with its semi-desert climate, produce softer wines with a velvety texture. Flavours can include ripe plum, black cherry and chocolate.

When aged in oak barrels, Malbec wines develop warming, savoury hints of leather and sweet tobacco.  

With its dark, inky colour and deep, rich flavours, Malbec is renowned for its delicious complexity.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a Malbec.

The first is whether you want a blend or single varietal wine. Malbec is well-suited for blending, because of its robust flavour profile and high tannin content. A blend – such as those made in Bordeaux – will bring added complexity and balance. By contrast, a single variety offers a pure expression of the grape’s distinctive characteristics, showcasing its rich, dark fruit flavours.

You might also consider the region where the wine was made. Argentine Malbecs are renowned for their lush, fruit-forward style, whereas French Malbecs have a more structured, tannic nature.

For a more unconventional choice, you might pick a Chilean bottle, notable for its balanced acidity, or a South African option, which offers a unique combination of fruitiness and structure.

Other factors to consider when picking a Malbec are whether the wine has been aged in oak – which will produce more complex flavours – and its colour, which can give an indication of the wine’s body and age. Deeper, darker hues usually suggest a more full body, whereas lighter, ruby shades indicate a younger, fresher wine

Malbec is best served at, or just below, room temperature. Don’t be afraid to put it in the fridge or a wine cooler for half an hour before serving. This helps the flavours come into focus and softens its structure.

Before serving, you should decant the Malbec for 30–60 minutes to help those fruity and delicate floral aromas to be released. You can then pour the wine into a traditional red wine glass, with its large bowl shape allowing it to continue breathing.

The day of your delivery will depend on which option you’ve chosen at checkout.

• For a standard delivery, we will deliver your order within three working days. Delivery to the Scottish Highlands, some other areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland and offshore islands can take an extra few days.
• Usual delivery times are between 07.00 and 21.00.
• You can select Next-day or Named-day delivery at checkout – but do bear in mind we don’t deliver on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Top tip: For the best experience we recommend you subscribe to our Unlimited service. A one-off payment of £29.99 entitles you to free delivery for a year – including free Next-day delivery. There’s no minimum order – you’ll get free delivery even on a single bottle. And you can get delivery to multiple addresses, so it’s perfect for gifting!

We want you to be entirely happy with your chosen wine, so we offer an unbeatable money-back guarantee on every single bottle – even wines you buy on sale.

No quibbles. No questions. Just your 100% satisfaction.

Get in touch with us and we’ll arrange to collect your bottle within 48 hours.