How do Malbec wines generally age? I like a lot of Argentine Malbec, and I was just wondering if they are usually best young or old (how old is too old?)
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
Having spent many years working with Argentine wines, first as an importer and, now, as a retailer, I am very interested in the aging potential of Argentine Malbec. In the past, the few older Malbecs I tasted did not seem to have developed the complex bouquet and long, multidimensional finish of great classic reds. But Argentina has witnessed incredible changes in the quality of its wines in a very short time. In 2010, I was one of 12 MW's to judge the Argentine Wine Awards, and I came away impressed by the sheer power and density of the current crop of high end Malbec bottlings. I found myself wondering how well these wines would age, not simply in terms of holding on a plateau after a few years, but actually developing added complexity. To answer your question with more assurance, I think we'll have to wait a bit longer to see how current Malbec renditions will develop in bottle. It could well be that the most promising - and ageworthy - Malbecs will be blends with other varieties such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Petit Verdot.
