Cairo NY -- Most wine lovers will agree that Argentina-grown grapes of the Malbec variety -- one of the original components of classic Bordeaux wines -- are the world's best.

Malbec vines were transplanted in the Mendoza region of Argentina long ago prior to a European outbreak of phylloxera that virtually destroyed the future of France's Malbec harvests.  Ironically, the Malbec grape had originally been brought to France by Hungarian peasants -- probably for the very same reason.

Having enjoyed some very good, very inexpensive Mendoza Malbec in the past, I intuitively felt that a ten dollar bottle of stout, smooth, regal purple-red Malbec would be something really special.  Hey, if the under $7 a bottle (by the case) stuff is decent, then the ten buck "premium" Malbec must be great.

Right I was about Gascón Malbec 2006!

With zero harshness, no oaky-ness, thick legs down the side of the glass, hints of Bing cherry and a well-fortified 14.2% alcohol content this potent French-style wine is ready to stand up to the richest of meat dishes while being sophisticated and multi-faceted enough to be paired with cheeses and vegetarian dishes. 

While I'm certainly not ready to give up on my search for the perfect ten-buck vino, at the end of the day Don Miguel Gascón's Mendoza Malbec might just be the one that will win the coveted bang-for-the-buck crown.

So if you come across Don Miguel Gascón Malbec buy it on sight!  Don't be afraid to serve it to anyone -- including expensive French wine snobs.  Although you might just want to keep it for yourself.

ADD A COMMENT...