Navarro Correas Coleccion Privada Malbec

Navarro Correas Colección Privada Malbec is a 100% Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Rated 91 points by Wine Enthusiast critic Michael Schachner, this expression draws from Luján de Cuyo vineyards and spends 12 months in oak, resulting in a medium-to-full-bodied red with genuine depth and structure.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina  |  12 Months Oak Aged  |  Producer: Bodega Navarro Correas

Production & Heritage

Bodega Navarro Correas is one of Mendoza's established producers, sourcing fruit for the Colección Privada line from vineyards in Luján de Cuyo — a sub-region long recognized as one of Argentina's premier Malbec terroirs. The wine undergoes 12 months of aging in small oak barrels, with roughly 40% of the blend seeing new oak, allowing the fruit to integrate with spice and structure without being overwhelmed by wood influence. Each vintage in the Colección Privada series features label artwork by a different Argentine artist, reinforcing the producer's position of wine as a creative expression tied to national culture.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with rich dried blueberry and black cherry before shifting into layers of sandalwood and sweet tobacco. Underneath, a fresh mineral-edged plum note adds lift and complexity.

Taste: On entry, juicy plum leads the way, supported by ripe berry fruit that builds across the mid-palate. As it develops, light oak spice and a subtle chocolate character emerge, framed by firm yet supple tannins that give the wine a medium-to-full body with real grip.

Finish: The finish is moderately long, with a spicy warmth that lingers alongside traces of dark fruit and cocoa. Tannins remain polished through the close, leaving a clean, satisfying impression.

How to Drink Colección Privada Malbec

This Malbec is best enjoyed at cellar temperature, around 16–18°C (60–64°F), in a large-bowled glass that lets the aromatics open up. It drinks well on its own but also rewards food pairing. For a red wine sangria, the dark fruit intensity holds up against citrus and spice additions. In a Malbec-based wine reduction sauce, the plum and berry character concentrates beautifully alongside roasted meats. A classic Kalimotxo — equal parts red wine and cola over ice — makes an unconventional but surprisingly effective warm-weather serve that leverages the wine's bold fruit.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners with grilled red meats or hearty pasta dishes
• Introducing someone to premium Argentine Malbec without a steep price tag
• Hosting an asado-style barbecue with friends
• Building a collection of artist-labeled wines from Mendoza

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Colección Privada Malbec taste like? It delivers rich plum and dark berry fruit with sweet tobacco and chocolate undertones, supported by firm, supple tannins and a spicy finish from 12 months of oak aging.

How does Colección Privada Malbec compare to Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec? Both wines hail from Mendoza's Luján de Cuyo sub-region and have received similar critical scores in the low-90s range from Wine Enthusiast. The Navarro Correas expression tends toward a slightly more prominent tobacco and sandalwood aromatic profile, while Trivento Golden Reserve often emphasizes darker fruit and more assertive oak integration.

Is Colección Privada Malbec good for sipping on its own? Yes — the balanced tannin structure and layered fruit make it an engaging stand-alone pour, especially when served slightly below room temperature to keep the aromatics fresh and focused.

Where is Colección Privada Malbec made? It is produced by Bodega Navarro Correas in Mendoza, Argentina, with fruit sourced from vineyards in the Luján de Cuyo sub-region, one of the country's most respected areas for high-altitude Malbec.

What foods pair well with Colección Privada Malbec? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's bold tannins and dark fruit. Empanadas filled with spiced beef echo the wine's savory tobacco notes. Hard aged cheeses like Manchego match its firm structure. Slow-braised lamb shanks mirror the wine's depth and spice. Dark chocolate desserts with 70% cacao pick up on the cocoa notes in the finish.

What sizes does Colección Privada Malbec come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this wine.

Is Colección Privada Malbec worth the price? It positions as a mid-range Argentine Malbec that consistently earns scores of 90–91 points from respected critics, which places it firmly in value-driven territory for the quality delivered — particularly for an oak-aged wine from a premier Mendoza sub-region.

Why Colección Privada Malbec?

A 91-point rating from Wine Enthusiast and a Silver Medal from the International Wine & Spirit Competition confirm that this is not simply a volume-driven label trading on Argentina's Malbec reputation. The fruit comes specifically from Luján de Cuyo, a sub-region whose high-altitude terroir consistently produces wines with more concentration and complexity than the broader Mendoza appellation. Twelve months of partial oak aging strikes a measured balance — enough wood influence to add spice and structure, not so much that it masks varietal character. The artist-designed labels, which change with each vintage, reflect a genuine curatorial ambition that distinguishes the Colección Privada series from competitors occupying a similar price and quality bracket.