Valdivieso (Chile) Barrel Selection Malbec 1999
As an alternative to this wine from by-the-case specialist Majestic, there’s another top-notch Malbec in Oddbins stores at 6.99, the Fabre Montmayou from Argentina. Both wines are terrific expressions of the grape with dark, dense, bittersweet flavours. Whilst the Argentine wine has a serious, very savoury Bordeaux-like character, this Chilean wine has a rich purple colour and a much more New Worldy ripeness of minty blackberry and dusty blueberry fruit. It has a more immediate sweet-edged attack on the palate with succulent black fruits, lesstannic grip than the Argentine wine, but a lovely juicy ripeness and purity. Either wine would make a fine and classy introduction to Malbec. UK Stockist: Majestic 5.99
