Malbec

2017

Rivenburgh Wine

Red Blend

This red blend, sourced from the 140-acre Narra Vineyard estate in the Texas High Plains near Brownfield, combines Malbec and Merlot aged for 36 months in all-neutral barrels, and showcases depth and refinement.The Malbec contributes a savory character, while the Merlot brings bright fruit and floral notes. Layers of sagebrush, Texas prairie grass, figs, and spiced plums define the aromatic profile, and with some air, intriguing black tea nuances emerge. The tannins, too, carry a black tea-like quality, seamlessly integrated and adding to the wine’s polished texture. A complex and balanced red.

Red

2018

Meierstone Vineyards

Reserve Malbec

The Meierstone Vineyards Reserve Malbec, sourced from Newsom Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, is a wonderfully easy-drinking and mild-mannered wine.Crunchy red-toned fruit character, with salty-sweet savory spice notes, lead to a medium-bodied palate. The wine is framed by fine-grained, gentle tannins that are well integrated, with hints of allspice, clove, and dried lilacs. The finish lingers with those same delicate floral and spice notes.

Red

2020

Adega Vinho

Estate Mourvèdre

This Mourvèdre from Bilger Family Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country, is sourced from vines grown on sandy, limestone soils. Red-toned fruits transition seamlessly into cool, limestone-driven minerality, with layers of espresso bean, charcuterie, and bright citrus notes of blood orange and grapefruit zest. A totally pleasing red, it strikes a perfect balance of richness and freshness, making it an excellent choice for pairing with smoked brisket or chicken dishes.

Red

2020

Lost Draw Wines

Lost Draw Vineyard, Malbec

The Lost Draw Vineyard Malbec from the Texas High Plains is sourced from a 60-acre site on sandy soils with a limestone base. It opens with alluring notes of crunchy red cherry and strawberry fruit, mingling with cherry pit and espresso bean nuances. Medium-bodied, the wine delivers more intense red fruit flavors on the palate, supported by silky, polished tannins that glide smoothly. The finish reveals hints of underbrush and limestone minerality, adding depth and complexity to this balanced Malbec.

Red

2020

Peter William

Malbec Reserve

Malbec is something Rogue Valley producers do exceptionally well, and in the right hands, it shows bright red and black-toned berry fruit with elegant baking spices and a stony mineral character—and this wine has that in spades. It’s not inky dark, but a beautiful deep ruby, framed by balanced tannins and acidity. The tannins are plump yet firm, and the acidity carries a saline edge with excellent grip—like a bite of crunchy sea salt on a juicy cut of beef. This is a dynamic and thoroughly satisfying Malbec from Peter William.

Red

2021

JMC Cellars

LVVC Red Blend

The LVVC (Livermore Valley Vintners Collective) is a collaboration of six Livermore winemakers who come together each year to craft a unique blend, with each contributing their own interpretation using wines from their cellars. In this expression, Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Syrah, Merlot, and Malbec to create a rich, harmonious red. The nose is peppery and floral, with savory blackcurrant aromas, while the palate delivers bold flavor with impressive balance—powerful, polished, and delicious. -JR

Red

2021

JMC Cellars

The Blind Pig

Cofermented from all five traditional Bordeaux varieties, this blend comes from a field planting of less than an acre in the Davis Vineyard. Intensely savory and deeply expressive, it opens with bold aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, dried herbs, oak, and a touch of vanilla extract. The palate is supple and rich, continuing the savory thread with ripe, plummy dark fruit, impressive concentration, and a lift of blood orange acidity. -JR

Red

2021

Kalasi Cellars

Narra Vineyards, Malbec

Originally planted in 2014 at Kalasi’s 140-acre Narra Vineyards estate in the Texas High Plains, this 100% Malbec showcases the region’s potential. Typically ripening around Labor Day, the fruit delivers a wine aged for 24 months in neutral French oak. Bright red berry fruit forms the core of its profile, accented by striking red and purple floral notes. These flavors mingle harmoniously with toasty cedarwood, a hint of molasses, fruit leather, and sweet spices. The palate is structured by firm, fine-grained tannins, leading to a long, sweetly spiced finish.

Red

2022

Kriselle Cellars

Malbec

A blue-fruited, cherry-infused, cedarwood laced and wild herb dusted red wine with soaring tannins and white truffle charcuterire balanced by loamy earth notes, and crushed rusty red rocks mienralty through the bone dry finish. This is a zippy, zesty Malbec with good grip and demanding of salty braised meats or hard cheeses.

Red

2022

Padigan

Estate Reserve Malbec

This Malbec is savory and muscular, with notes of black cherry, black truffle, and charcuterie layered with pressed wildflowers, dried thyme, and black olive. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate mirrors the aromatics, framed by velvety, fine-grained tannins. Crushed stone minerality anchors the finish, along with a touch of clove and smoky, loamy earth. Aged up to 28 months in 65% new French oak.

Red

2022

Padigan

Malbec

Fragrant red berry fruit is tinged with bay laurel, spearmint, thyme, and cherry pit. Medium-bodied on the palate, with blood orange acidity and elegant cedarwood notes, complemented by dried fennel, espresso, and a kiss of red licorice. After a short cold soak, the wine was whole-berry fermented with native yeasts, received two punchdowns, then was pressed to tank, settled, and racked to barrel to complete fermentation. Malolactic fermentation followed, and the wine was aged for up to 22 months in 25–35% new French oak. Blending occurred halfway through the aging process.

Red

2022

Uplift Vineyards

Malbec

The 2022 Malbec from Uplift Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country is 100% Malbec, aged for 16 months in 10-15% new French oak. It is beautifully fresh and inviting, with captivating red berry fruit notes and crystalline acid tension, making this Malbec quite impressive. Lovely blue fruit and violet notes complement the wine, while velvet, fine-grained tannins provide a smooth, medium-bodied structure. The wine is framed by elegant cedarwood spices, adding depth and complexity. The winery is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger.

Red

2024

Agathodaemon

Egan Vineyard Malbec Rōz

Quite the savory rosé, it sports a structured, grippy palate feel framing a host of cherry fruit, cherry blossoms, dried mediterranean herbs, and wet stone minerality. At just 12.7% alcohol, it’s bone dry, and has enough structure and grit to carry a meal from cheese and charcuterie through the end of dinner, but you’d want to cut it short of pairing with dessert, unless you’re serving savory rosemarry infused olive oil cake.

Cristaldi Scores

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Rivenburgh Wine

Red Blend

Meierstone Vineyards

Reserve Malbec

Adega Vinho

Estate Mourvèdre

Lost Draw Wines

Lost Draw Vineyard, Malbec

Peter William

Malbec Reserve

JMC Cellars

LVVC Red Blend

JMC Cellars

The Blind Pig

Kalasi Cellars

Narra Vineyards, Malbec

Kriselle Cellars

Padigan

Estate Reserve Malbec

Padigan

Malbec

Uplift Vineyards

Malbec

Agathodaemon

Egan Vineyard Malbec Rōz

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