The Show Malbec

The Show Malbec is an organically farmed Argentine Malbec from Mendoza, bottled at approximately 14.3% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2020 vintage earned 91 points from James Suckling and a Gold medal at the 2022 San Diego International Wine Competition, placing it among the more critically recognized Malbecs at its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.3%  |  Origin: Mendoza, Argentina  |  Varietal: Malbec-dominant blend  |  Producer: The Show

Production & Heritage

The Show Malbec sources 100% organically farmed fruit from Mendoza, including grapes from the higher-elevation Uco Valley, where alluvial and volcanic soils and a longer growing season contribute additional complexity. Fermentation takes place in concrete tanks using native yeast, with minimal punch-downs and more than two weeks of extended skin contact post-fermentation. The blend varies by vintage — the 2020 release combined 85% Malbec with 7.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7.5% Cabernet Franc, both co-fermented with Uco Valley Malbec, while the 2022 shifted to 96% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Franc. This blending approach adds structural depth without masking the core Malbec character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep purple in the glass with immediate aromatics of crushed dark berries and violets. Dried herbs, black pepper, and a subtle stemmy quality develop with air.

Taste: The entry is fruit-forward, led by blackberry, plum, and cranberry. The mid-palate introduces white pepper, baking spice, and a thread of toasty vanilla. Tannins are velvety and well-integrated, contributing a medium-bodied texture that stays balanced rather than heavy.

Finish: Unusually long for the category, with fine-grained tannins and lingering mixed-spice notes. A fresh, fruity quality carries through the close without turning jammy.

How to Drink The Show Malbec

Serve slightly below room temperature — around 60–65°F — to keep the fruit expressive without letting the alcohol run warm. A brief 15–20 minute decant helps open up the herbal and floral aromatics. This wine works in a simple red wine sangria, where its dark berry intensity holds up against citrus and brandy. It also serves well as the base for a Kalimotxo — a Spanish-style red wine and cola combination where the wine's natural spice adds dimension. For a warm-weather pour, try it lightly chilled in a tinto de verano with lemon soda, where the cranberry and plum notes turn refreshing.

Best For

• Weeknight steak dinners where an approachable red with real structure is needed
• Introducing someone to Argentine Malbec without overwhelming tannins
• Bringing to a dinner party as a crowd-pleasing, food-friendly bottle
• Building an everyday wine rotation with a focus on organic farming practices

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Show Malbec taste like? It leads with ripe blackberry, plum, and cranberry flavors, followed by black pepper, baking spice, and a touch of toasty vanilla. The tannins are smooth and well-integrated, with a finish that lingers longer than most wines at this tier.

How does The Show Malbec compare to Merlot? Both share a plush, ripe dark-fruit profile with softer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon and a round, approachable mid-palate. The Show Malbec tends to run slightly more peppery and floral, with a firmer tannic backbone than most New World Merlots, thanks in part to its Uco Valley fruit and extended skin contact.

Is The Show Malbec good for beginners? Its velvety tannins and fruit-forward profile make it one of the more accessible Argentine Malbecs available. The lack of aggressive oak or harsh tannins means it drinks easily on its own or alongside food.

Where is The Show Malbec made? The Show Malbec is produced in Mendoza, Argentina, with fruit sourced from vineyards in the Uco Valley, a higher-elevation sub-region known for its volcanic and alluvial soils. All fruit is organically farmed.

What foods pair well with The Show Malbec? Grilled ribeye steak highlights the wine's peppery spice and dark fruit. Lamb empanadas complement its herbal aromatics. Aged Gouda or Manchego cheese echoes the toasty vanilla notes. Mushroom risotto mirrors the earthy undertones, and dark chocolate with sea salt pairs well with the wine's ripe berry finish.

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

Is The Show Malbec worth the price? It positions as an entry-level to mid-range Argentine Malbec, but the organic farming, native yeast fermentation, and concrete tank production punch above the typical quality at this tier. A 91-point score from James Suckling further supports its value proposition.

Why The Show Malbec?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of sub-$20 Argentine Malbecs starts in the vineyard: 100% organically farmed fruit, including high-elevation Uco Valley grapes grown on volcanic soils that add genuine mineral complexity. The concrete tank fermentation with native yeast — rather than stainless steel with commercial strains — preserves site-specific character that most wines at this level sacrifice for consistency. James Suckling's 91-point score on the 2020 vintage and a Gold medal at the San Diego International Wine Competition confirm that the winemaking approach delivers measurable results. For anyone seeking an everyday Malbec with more authenticity than the category norm, this is a well-documented overperformer.