Life is too short to drink bad wine

Malbec is a grape that used to be grown in Bordeaux. It is still used in southern France but it has sort of immigrated to Argentine where it is truly blossoming. The Hess Family who runs the Colome estate has developed a full bodied, dense and beautiful Malbec. The grapes are grown in high altitude in the Salta region. And when we talk about high altitude it is really high: between 2100 to stunning 3100m altitude. The wine is consequently of outstanding quality and a price of 250 NOK or around 20usd is well worth spending on this elegant wine. Dark purple colour. Lots of brambles, dark fruit, liquorice and spice on the nose. Massive taste, but very fruity and smooth tannins. A long and elegant finish. And what glass to use? We tried Riedel Cab Sauv and Syrah/Shiraz glasses and found the Syrah glass to work best. Malbec Colome Estate 2016 Calchaqui Valley Salta region, Argentine Ca 250 NOKor 20usd

It's been a long time since had a glass of Malbec. This one from Altimira in Uco valley in Mendoza was just brilliant. The grapes are grown at 1100 meters altitude with big temperature differences day and night. Wonderful dark red purple colour. It's nearly black in a way. The nose is packed with dark fruit, liquorice, dark chocolate, spices and flowers. Full-bodied taste with a great acidity and big firm but soft tannins. Big long and dry finish. A lovely and lively Malbec. Stored 12 months on big one year old barrels lightly toasted. Try with BBQ and most red meat. Ayni Malbec 2015 Bodega Chakana Altimira in Uco valley, Mendoza Ca 225 NOK

Although Pinot Noir is a difficult grape to grow the areas around the world that produce good Pinot are expanding. New Zealand and Australia are two good places complementing the stars from Burgundy and California. And now Argentine. Barda Pinot Noir is from the southern area of Argentine called Patagonia. Rio Negro is the area where wine growers are experimenting with new grape varieties. This one is very classical with red and dark fruit, flowers, herbs and some leather. The taste is smooth and silky with some firm perhaps slightly dry tannins. A very nice Pinot indeed and when you take into account the price (230 NOK) it is very good value for money. Bodega Chacra Barda Pinot Noir 2015 Rio Negro 230NOK 

This is a wine made from 20-80 year old vines at more than 1000 meters altitude. It has been age 12-14 months in french oak barrels and it is best served at temperatures 14-16c. Medium dark red colour with a purple rim. Delicious smell of dark fruit like ripe cherries, plum and blueberries. Toasty character with some spice and chocolate. Big full bodied wine with with lots of fruit, soft tannins and a good finish dominated by black fruit. This is a full-bodied red and as far away from light red as you can get. Malbec Terrazas de los Andes 2015, Mendoza Argentina Ca 180 NOK or 12usd   

Torrontes is the white wine grape of Argentina. A really pleasant surprise! Floral smell with elements of tropical fruit. Surprisingly is also the decent acidity in the wine. Totally unexpected but possible thanks to the grapes being grown in high altitudes (>1000m) near Salta in the north west corner of Argentina. Torrontes 2011 Vallee Calchaqui, Salta Ca 130 NOK

One of the simplest Malbec versions around, but it does the trick. Deep dark blue-red color, smell of dark berries, leather and some herbs. The taste has a good balance although perhaps a bit short, but it warms you up and is a good fit with red meat, hamburger or BBQ stuff. Catena Malbec 2010, Mendoza, Argentine Ca 7-15€

Found this Malbec from Argentine at Copenhagen airport. This is a big wine with a fantastic deep purple colour. On the nose it is packed with dark fruit, ink and brambles. Lovely stuff. The taste is solid with a big structure but still smooth thanks to some Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the mix. The wine is crying out for entrecote or steak. Fabre Montmayou Grand Vin, Argentine, no wimpy wine within low price range.

In search for the Malbec I had in Oslo the other day I ended up with this version as the Golden Reserve by Trivento was nowhere to be found. This cheap organic wine produced by the frenchman Bousquet is made from 100% Malbec grown in an altitude of 1200 meters. The colour is violet and almost black which is typical Malbec. The nose has typical notes of blackberry, black pepper and blackcurrent. Malbec can be quite "masculine" on the taste but this example is fruity with soft tannins. It's definite step down from the "Trivento" but it gives full value for money as the price is only 115. Malbec 2010 by Domaine Bousquet, Argentine, nice introduction to Malbec .

Found this Malbec from Argentine in an Oslo restaurant during the World Championship Nordic Skiing. A close to perfect day (Norway winning the 4x5 km relay and looking good after first half in the Holmenkollen ski-jump) was rounded off with a good steak and a bottle of Malbec at "New Orleans". The colour was dense and dark as ink. The nose was filled with black berries, coffee, ink, plums,spices etc. The taste was big , solid, dense, packed with dark fruit, coffee, long, well balanced and a monster of a win that was perfect with the steak. Slightly frozen and exhausted after spending 7 hours out in the foggy woods of Holmenkollen this Malbec was just like heaven on earth. Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec, Argentine a Golden Malbec in limited quantities, Low price 149

This wine is bargain at 120 kr as this is actually nearly the same price as in UK. It is made by the Italian producer Masi and its a mix of the Argentinian grape Malbec, Corvina from Italy and some Merlot. It is has a beautiful strange bouquet of cherries, plum and dried fruit (a bit cold and warm in a way). The taste is just right with a good acidity, warmth and concentration. Somewhat dry aftertaste due to the malbec, but well balanced by the corvina grape. Passo Doble means double time and refers to the double fermentation whereby dried Corvina grapes were added after the first fermentation (a bit like Ripasso wine).  Should go well with lamb, pork and cheese. Passo Doble 2007, Mendoza Argentina, 120 NOK - like an Amarone light ?