Malbec has become synonymous with Argentina, and given the heritage of premium cattle in the country, the two are a very obvious marriage.
Barbecued red meat, especially cuts like ribeye and sirloin, with a delicate charring from the barbecue, make a perfect foil for Malbec’s robust body and moderate acidity. The concentrated fruit in the wines cut through the savoury flavours and structure of the meat, and the balanced tannins help cleanse the palate to enhance the texture.
Three wines that have different flavour profiles to match what you might be cooking over the coming months.
1 - Mendel, Malbec Selection, 2021
Without question the most refined and, dare I say it, subtle of the three. If you are thinking about a whole fillet being slowly cooked above the charcoals, then this is definitely the one to go for. Or perhaps a leg of lamb with a marinade of cumin, thyme, lemon zest and harissa.
I visited this property a dozen or so years ago, and have been buying their wines ever since. The grapes come from three different vineyard sites, aged in new oak, producing around 10,000 bottles of this wine.
Full-bodied with ripe, red fruits, there is elegance and refinement here with an excellent balance of fruit, acidity and tannins that sits very comfortably on the palate and has a long and enticing finish. Complex and you might consider decanting the wine before serving. It will certainly age, and think roast beef over a Sunday lunch in the autumn.
£20.00 - Majestic - six mix
2 - Catena Alta, Malbec, Historic Rows, 2021
Another superlative red from the Catena stable. A blend of grapes from five different family vineyards. We’re looking for the sirloin steak here with a béarnaise sauce on the side, and some fries. Perhaps a salad as well.
It is a fourth generation family business that has set the gold standard in terms of quality for the Mendoza region in Argentina. Rather like one of the leading Northern Rhône producers, they have an array of wines starting with entry-level wines around the £12 mark, and heading to single vineyard wines retailing at over the £100 mark.
Rich, satin-like tannins, concentration of red and black fruits, a degree of spice, with an almost herbal aroma. Length and even more length as it sits and evolves on your palate. Savour the flavours, let them open in your glass, enjoy the texture as the sirloin’s richness marries to perfection.
£22.50 - Waitrose - special offer until 22-Apr. Available from other merchants.
3 - Viñalba ‘Cuvée Diane’ 2020/21
There’s a lot in this glass. Rib-eye accompanied by an excellent creamy peppercorn sauce. It’s deep, it’s rich and it’s delicious. You are slightly taken back by the first taste, but then you simply want more. Vibrant, racy, and full of concentrated flavours. This is a very moreish offering that could occupy a long, long lunch.
The Fabre family planted the vines for this wine in 2005 at an altitude of 1,350 to 1,600m. A blend of 85% Malbec balanced with 15% Cabernet Franc aged in a mixture of new and second-use 225 litres French oak barrels. The oak will provide this low yield wine with considerable longevity, although its is immensely drinkable today. Decant a few hours before pouring the first glass or just enjoy the opulence. Will easily cruise into the early 30s.
£33.75 - Majestic - six mix
