Celebrate World Malbec Day With These 22 Top South African Wines

Malbec is arguably Argentina’s best wine variety and it’s gaining popularity around the world. In 2011, World Malbec Day was officially held for the first time on 17 April after Wines of Argentina, the organisation responsible for promoting the country’s wines to other continents, agreed the varietal deserved a place on the global food and wine calendar.

With wine lovers looking for new and exciting varieties, it’s the wine of the moment. Why is it so popular? It could be because Malbec is a nice alternative to the popular Shiraz, but with a bit more of an intense berry push.

Currently a mere 450 hectares are planted with Malbec in South Africa, versus 34.000 hectares in Argentina. It’s therefor not a wine that you’ll see an abundance of on the country’s shelves, but there are a few South African wineries who produce excellent 100 % Malbec wines. We suggest you uncork one of these in celebration of  World Malbec Day.

Annex Kloof Malbec

Annex Kloof Wines

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www.annexkloofwines.co.za

After a tour to Argentina in 1991, owner Hugo tasted his first Malbec and instantly fell in love with this cultivar. According to him Annexkloof will always produce a 100% Malbec and on this wine farm you will never find it in a blend. If you like something with elegance, lots of fruitiness and intense dark colour then this Swartland wine will rock your world!

Anura Malbec

Anura Vineyards

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www.anura.co.za

Blueberry, mulberry and dried peach flavours. Hints of liquorice and blackcurrant on the nose and a rich mouth-feel with soft tannins and a long smooth finish. Wonderful when paired with grilled meats, rich tomato based dishes and stews or can also be enjoyed with a mature cheese board and sweet preserves. Always a hit at any Braai!

Bellevue Malbec

Bellevue Wine Estate

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bellevue.co.za

Available at Woolworths stores throughout South Africa, this Malbec is a unique example of the cultivar, showing deep colour and fynbos flavours with ripe tannin structure. This wine pairs well with red meats like venison, Karoo lamb and ostrich.

Blaauwklippen Malbec

Blaauwklippen Vineyards

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www.blaauwklippen.com

The Cultivar Selection Malbec, from Blaauwklippen Vineyards, delivers a deliciously intense profile of red berry, mocha and spice characters. Full-bodied with a complex structure and ripe tannins, this marvellous Malbec boasts a generous and rewarding palate.

Bloemendal Waterlily Malbec

Bloemendal

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www.bloemendalwines.co.za

An intense wine in every regard, dark brooding appearance, black fruit aroma and broad firm tannins on taste. The wine works well when accompaniment with food and good company. Will age seamlessly for 4 to 6 years.

Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Malbec Reserve

Diemersfontein

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www.diemersfontein.co.za

A decadent blend of berries and plums, yielding to subtle liquorice and cherry tobacco aromas followed by lively and finely structured tannin. Malbec has softer tannins compared to some of its red counterparts, which means it goes well with lean cuts of meat like flank, sirloin and skirt steak. For an extra decadent delight, sit back in your favourite chair, with the crackling fire next to you and break off a piece of an indulgent dark chocolate while sipping on this wine.

Doolhof Single Vineyard Malbec

Doolhof Wine Estate

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doolhof.com

Intense garnet to dark purple in colour with vibrant aromas of violets, cocoa and black pepper. The palete shows richness and roundness with flavours of blakberries and plum. Serve with roast leg of lamb, also great with matured cheese and preserves.

Dornier Malbec

Dornier Wines

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www.dornier.co.za

The focus behind Dornier Malbec is to showcase single varietals grown on Dornier Estate. The wine is nurtured to bring across the true expression of the Dornier terroir as well as the unique characteristic of Malbec as a single varietal. As with the other Malbec wines on this list, it pairs well with barbecued meats like beef fillet or lamb cutlets. It also matches with more exotic flavours like Thai roast duck and Cajun chicken.

Druk My Niet Estate Malbec

Druk My Niet

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www.dmnwines.co.za

The Druk My Niet Malbec is intense, alive, and complex. Beautiful black fruit backed with great spice complexity, firm youthful tannins on the palate which is accompanied with wonderful freshness and finesse.

Fairview Charles Back Malbec

Fairview

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www.fairview.co.za

Vibrant red colour in the glass, with aromas of plums, red fruits and spice. The palate is rich with gentle oaking and red fruit flavours. This is an extra special offering from the secret cellar of Charles Back, and quantities are limited. If you have time, decant this Malbec about 30 minutes before serving, to unlock its full range of delicious aromas and flavors. Then, pair with beef! Steaks, skewers, ribs, roasts, burgers … they’ll all work deliciously.

Hillcrest Saartjie Malbec

Hillcrest Wine Farm

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www.hillcrestfarm.co.za

Another wine that’s named after a dog, this time a Jack Russell. She is the loyal companion of Hillcrest’s winemaker, Arno Smith. Impressive depth of colour, the wine is made in a lighter style with noticeable mulberry and black berry flavours on the palate. Lively, well balanced with accessible supple tannins.

La Couronne Malbec

La Couronne

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www.lacouronnewines.co.za

Vibrant aromas of dark chocolate and spices. Rich, full and plumy with crushed berry flavours on the palate, balanced with a creamy oak finish. It’s a delicious all-rounder wine to be enjoyed with spicy red and white meat dishes.

Mischa Malbec

Mischa Estate

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www.mischaestate.com

Incredibly well structured and velvety with delicious flavors of black fruits such as plum and currants nuanced with black pepper and a sweet tobacco finish. The wine drinks well on its own, but also compliments lean meats like flank and sirloin.

Mount Vernon Malbec

Mount Vernon

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mountvernon.co.za

Very attractive nose with intense, ripe dark berry aromas with cherry and plum in the forefront. Touch of chocolate, hint of coffee with anise and light smoke in the background. Bright and juicy in the mouth with smooth tannins and lovely acidity. Beautiful balance. Good structure. Solid, dry, fruit filled finish.

Ondine Malbec

Ormonde Private Cellars

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www.ormonde.co.za

Produced by Ormonde in Darling, the Ondine Malbec shows intense aromas of raspberries and firm tannins with a balanced palate. Pair it with hearty pasta dishes with mushrooms and meat.

Paul Wallace Black Dog Malbec

Paul Wallace

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www.paulwallacewines.co.za

This Malbec from Elgin is named after owner Paul Wallace’s cross Labrador/Rottweiler dog, named Jake. Much like the dog the wine is dark in colour, well-muscled intense and full of character. The Black Dog Malbec is a truly memorable wine which reflects the natural elegance we have come to expect from Elgin wines. The ideal accompaniment to red meat dishes, beef steak, game or slow roasted lamb or should it take your fancy, sit in front of a fire, sip slowly and dip into a bowl of pistachio nuts or biltong.

Neethlingshof Malbec

Neethlingshof Estate

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neethlingshof.co.za

A delicious dark ruby wine with floral and violet fragrance interwoven with oak, spice and dark chocolate. A rich and full palate with plum and berry flavours. A fine wine that will partner well with both red and white meat dishes such as garlic and rosemary roast chicken and Beef Wellington, as well as pasta and soft cheeses.

Raka Malbec

Raka

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www.rakawine.co.za

A multi-award winner for its previous vintages, this Malbec is a great gift to give to anyone who takes their red wines seriously. This wine has a gorgeous dark violet colour. On the nose expect plummy and cherry aromas. The wine is softly textured, with silky tannins and flavours of fruit and delectable vanilla.

Super Single Vineyard Pella Oukliprant Malbec

Super Single Vineyards

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supersinglevineyards.co.za

Riddled with ancient stone artefacts, these vineyards flourish side by side with Acheulean tools, dating back over 40,000 years ago; that is were the name ‘Oukliprant’ is derived from, meaning ‘old stone ridge’. Layers of black cherry, pomegranate and plum, enhanced by a soft , velvety texture, with gamey and cocoa undertones.

Vrede en Lust Mocholate Malbec

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www.vnl.co.za

True to its name, the wine’s beautiful bouquet is steeped in decadent aromas of chocolate and mocha, which accentuate its red berry profile. The palate follows through with a cascade of red and dark berries. This sensational red boasts a silky smooth texture and supple body, making it a deliciously accessible palate-pleaser. Pairs a treat with beef carpaccio, pizza and pasta dishes.

Withington Malbec

Withington Wines

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darlingwine.co.za

An easy-drinking, yet elegant wine with fabulous juicy red-berry flavours that can only come from well nurtured sun-ripened grapes, gently crushed, slowly fermented and quietly matured.  The taste is so typical of the Darling region where warm days and cool evening breezes are the norm and where time in the village is still measured by the chime of the church clock.

Zorgvliet Malbec

Zorgvliet

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zorgvliet.com

The flavour reminds of plums and wild berries and is somewhat savoury. The tannins are very fine and silky and the texture is lush, with a medium length finish.