The 7 Best Argentine Red Wines to Drink Now in 2026
Catena Zapata, Bodega Colomé, Cheval des Andes
Most everyone has had a Malbec from Argentina, but only a select few have had a Pinot Noir or a Bordeaux-style blend. Argentina’s most popular grape originated in Bordeaux and specifically from Cahors, but it was brought to Argentina in the mid 19th century. Today it is Argentina’s money maker thanks to the qualities brought on by the world’s highest collective vineyard altitude. Clocking in with an average height of 2,700 feet, increased elevation benefits ripening by proximity to the sun and greater fluctuations in the day-to-night temperature variation. Sunlight increases sugar and other complex flavors during the ripening process, while nighttime cold preserves the grapes’ natural acidity, so Malbec from Argentina oftentimes tastes more concentrated, bold, and flavorful.
In addition to Malbec, Argentine winemakers grow other grapes that do well when planted at high altitudes including Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. Most of Argentina’s grapes are grown in Mendoza, with vineyards ranging from 1,500 feet to 5,577 feet. They are also grown in even higher altitude vineyards in Salta to the north and closer to sea level in the cold Rio Negro region in the country’s south. Higher altitudes in Mendoza and Salta and colder year-round temperatures in Rio Negro cause these grapes to develop a thicker skin, which leads to stronger tannins and more concentrated flavors than you may find in wines produced elsewhere. Expect dark red and black fruit flavors of black cherry, blackberry and plum along with notes of ground pepper, dark chocolate, espresso bean, leather, and pipe tobacco. This bold flavor profile paired with medium to heavy tannins makes wines from Argentina the perfect pour when grilled steaks are on the menu.
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Viña Cobos 2021 Malbec Mendoza
Image Credit: Viña Cobos Renowned winemaker Paul Hobbs crafted his first vintage of Cobos Malbec in 1999 and is widely credited with giving Malbec from Argentina the respect it duly deserves. Today his wines are widely sought after by a core group of this varietal’s lovers looking to add quality Argentine wine to their cellars. His 2021 is fermented for 18 months in 60 percent new French oak barrels and has aromas of blueberry and black raspberry highlighted by hints of vanilla. It is bold and round with flavors of blackberry, cassis, and red plum.
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Familia Zuccardi 2021 Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal Uco Valley Mendoza
Image Credit: Familia Zuccardi Winemaker Sebastián Zuccardi is the third generation of his family producing wine in Mendoza’s Uco Valley. His grandfather planted the first vines in 1963 and passed the torch to his son José Alberto who then turned over the reins to Sebastián. Under Sebastián’s leadership the winery opened a research and development area in 2008 to produce wines that truly express the terroir where the grapes are grown. This stunning wine is cultivated in soils consisting of alluvial white round pebbles and limestone. It has ethereal aromas of crushed violet petals, blue fruits, and black cherry. Full bodied with balanced acidity, it has vibrant flavors of blueberry, pencil lead, and dried Mediterranean herbs.
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Altocedro 2022 Gran Reserva Malbec Mendoza
Image Credit: Altocedro Karim Mussi has run Altocedro since 1999 but can often be found at his other projects Alandes and Abras where he works as a winemaker consultant. You may also catch him at the tasting room at Bodega Alandes which he opened in 2013. His Altocedro 2022 Gran Reserva Malbec is predominantly Malbec with just 4 percent of Semillon added to give it a flavorful lift. It’s dark ruby red with aromas of dark chocolate, vanilla, wet river rocks, and black raspberry. A bit salty with nice heft on the palate, it offers flavors of black plum, blackberry, dried herbs, and dark cocoa powder.
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Bodega Chacra 2022 Treinta y Dos Pinot Noir Patagonia
Image Credit: Bodega Chacra Many people know winemaker Piero Incisa della Rocchetta because of his relationship to the Italian family that produces Sassicaia in Bolgheri, but instead of staying in Italy, Piero founded Bodega Chacra in 2004. He purchased an old, abandoned vineyard in Patagonia and released his first wine the same year—Treinta y Dos—which is named for the year the original vineyard was planted. 18 years later his 2022 Pinot Noir is still one of our favorite Patagonian wines. It has beautiful aromas of rose petals, fresh strawberry, and red raspberry that later appear on the palate supported by bright, balanced acidity and silky tannins.
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Cheval Des Andes 2020 Mendoza
Image Credit: Cheval Des Andes Cheval Des Andes is a project that was started by Pierre Lurton with the premise of bringing Chateau Cheval Blanc’s winemaking philosophy to Argentina and it’s no surprise it makes some of the region’s best Bordeaux style blends. The winemaking team reported that grapes to make the 2020 vintage were harvested at the end of February and aged in standard 225-liter barrels, 400-liter, and 2,500-liter foudres. This blend of 49 percent Malbec, 49 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2 percent Petit Verdot has aromas of black raspberry, anise, and red plum with soft but bold tannins and flavors of black licorice, cassis, and ripe black cherry.
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Catena Zapata 2022 Adrianna Vineyard River Malbec Uco Valley Mendoza
Image Credit: Catena Zapata The Catena family has been making wine in Argentina since 1902 and continues to do so at their Mayan pyramid-shaped bodega located in Lujan du Cuyo, Mendoza. When in the area make sure to book a tour to taste all their wines including this one. Grapes for this amazing Malbec are grown in a vineyard named after the family’s youngest daughter, Adrianna, and is located at 4,560 feet of elevation in Gualtallary. Its soils are composed of limestone and fossilized marine shells which impart a unique minerality to the flavor profile. It has complex aromas of pencil lead, crushed oyster shell, wet river rocks, dark cocoa powder, blueberry, graphite and red currant that lead to voluptuous mouthfeel and flavors of red raspberry, cassis, and red plum.
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Bodegas Colomé 2019 Altura Maxima Malbec Salta
Image Credit: Bodega Colomé Bodegas Colomé was first established in 1831 and is one of the oldest wineries in Argentina. Located in the province of Salta in the Calchaqui Valley, it makes some of our favorite wines including this Bodegas Colomé 2019 Altura Maxima Malbec loaded with intense concentration, balanced acidity, and youthfulness. Grapes for this stunning wine are grown at altitudes of 10,200 feet in one of the highest vineyards in the world. Aged in neutral barrels for 18 months, this wine is deep inky purple in the glass with aromas of blackberry, balsa wood, dried herbs, saddle leather, cassis, and red plum with silky soft tannins and flavors of black currant, raspberry, orange peel, tobacco leaf, and just a touch of graphite in the finish.
