Malbecs of the Purest Kind

Malbec originated in Bordeaux, where small amounts of the grape are blended into well-known chateau wines, but the best 100% malbec wines are from Argentina, not France. They offer forward fruit and soft, oaky tannins without the high-end price tags of French malbec blends. One of my favorites is Zuccardi Malbec 'Q' 2005 ($16), made by a small producer in Mendoza, one of the main growing areas of Argentinean malbecs. This wine has delicate notes of black plum, baked cherry, and eucalyptus, and an elegant, subtle finish. Serve it with anything off the grill (or as the Argentineans would say, la parillada): grilled pork chops or spice-rubbed skirt steak.