Anoro Malbec

Anoro Malbec is a 100% Malbec from Alto Agrelo, Mendoza, Argentina, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2006 vintage earned 90 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, and the wine has maintained an average critics score of 89/100 across multiple vintages — a consistent marker of quality from high-elevation Argentine vineyards.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Alto Agrelo, Mendoza, Argentina  |  100% Malbec  |  14 Months French Oak

Production & Heritage

Anoro Malbec is sourced from ungrafted vineyards with an average vine age of 22 years, planted in the alluvial soils of Alto Agrelo at elevations reaching 3,600 feet. These nutrient-poor soils force the vines to develop extensive root systems, producing grapes of notable concentration and character. The wine spends 14 months in 50% new French oak barrels and is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving the full expression of its terroir.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with wood smoke and spice box before unfolding into layers of violets, black cherry, and ripe plum. Deeper notes of forest floor, earth, and bittersweet chocolate emerge with time in the glass.

Taste: Medium-bodied on entry, the palate reveals excellent focus and delineation with a claret-like personality that sets it apart from many New World Malbecs. Black cherry liqueur flavors occupy the mid-palate, supported by well-integrated vanilla from the oak aging and a depth that speaks to the old-vine fruit source.

Finish: The finish is structured and persistent, with lingering dark fruit and a subtle cocoa bitterness. Enough tannic framework remains to suggest further development over two to three years of cellaring.

How to Drink Anoro Malbec

This wine is best enjoyed at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, in a large-bowled glass that allows its aromatic complexity to develop. Decanting for 30 minutes helps open the oak-influenced layers. For cocktail-adjacent serves, Anoro Malbec works well in a classic Sangria, where its dark fruit intensity anchors the punch; in a Kalimotxo, where its concentrated berry character balances the cola's sweetness; and in a red wine spritzer for a lighter warm-weather option that still retains its violet and cherry personality.

Best For

• Pairing with a grilled Argentine asado or weekend barbecue
• Gifting a Malbec enthusiast exploring high-altitude Mendoza wines
• Building a cellar selection of age-worthy South American reds
• Hosting a comparative tasting of Alto Agrelo terroir-driven wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Anoro Malbec taste like? Anoro Malbec delivers medium-bodied black cherry and plum flavors with undertones of bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, and earthy forest floor. It has a claret-like structure and focus that distinguishes it from heavier, fruit-forward Malbecs.

How does Anoro Malbec compare to Merlot? Both share a plush, ripe black-fruit profile and softer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon, with a round mid-palate common to New World expressions. However, Anoro Malbec leans more toward violet florals, smoky spice, and earthy depth, whereas Merlot tends toward herbal and plummy characteristics.

Is Anoro Malbec good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balance of fruit concentration, integrated oak, and structured tannins make it an engaging wine to drink neat. Decanting briefly enhances the aromatic complexity.

Where is Anoro Malbec made? Anoro Malbec is produced in Alto Agrelo, a sub-region of Mendoza in western Argentina, at elevations reaching 3,600 feet in the foothills of the Andes. The high-altitude vineyards sit in alluvial soils that are naturally low in nutrients.

What foods pair well with Anoro Malbec? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's smoky oak notes; empanadas with spiced beef echo its spice-box aromatics; aged Manchego cheese mirrors its earthy depth; roasted lamb chops match its dark fruit intensity; and dark chocolate desserts align with its bittersweet cocoa finish.

What sizes does Anoro Malbec come in? Anoro Malbec is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Anoro Malbec worth the price? Anoro Malbec positions as a mid-range Argentine Malbec that over-delivers on complexity, with its old-vine fruit, extended French oak aging, and unfiltered bottling providing details typically found in higher-priced expressions. A consistent critics average of 89/100 supports its standing as strong value within the category.

Why Anoro Malbec?

What separates Anoro from the crowded field of Argentine Malbecs is the specific combination of 22-year-old ungrafted vines, extreme elevation at 3,600 feet, and a commitment to bottling without fining or filtration. That unfiltered approach preserves textural nuance and terroir character that many commercial Malbecs sacrifice for consistency. The 90-point score from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate on the 2006 vintage confirmed its place among serious Alto Agrelo wines. For drinkers seeking a Malbec with genuine site-specificity rather than generic fruit bomb character, Anoro delivers a distinctly structured, terroir-transparent expression of Mendoza's best sub-region.