Let’s talk about Malbec today. This is an original French grape varietal that was traded to South America hundreds of years ago and now is grown almost exclusively in Argentina and Chile. When I heard about the push on this varietal I figured the big companies just found a cheap grape to put in a bottle, but Malbec is GREAT! Malbec tastes very similar to a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot. If you drink Cab, you will find a Malbec to have less tannins and be a little softer. If you drink Merlot, you will find a Malbec to have a little more complexity and a fuller finish with stronger fruit notes. The Malbec’s I have authorized for our chain have all been taste approved by me, I have rejected dozens (my competitors haven’t). I only have Argentine Malbec’s available at this time plus 2 from Chile, and none from California. True there are some decent ones coming from California now, but to get a true picture of what a great Malbec tastes like, stick with South American Malbecs. Any of the Malbec’s in our store in the $8.99-$14.99 range will satisfy. Check one out!