Amalaya Malbec 2023 750ml

Bodega Amalaya farms in the Calchaquí Valley of Salta, in northern Argentina, where rain is 150 mm a year or less and days and nights swing widely in temperature. It belongs to Hess Family Wine Estates, which also owns Bodega Colomé, and its winemaker is Jorge Noguera.

The 2023 is 85% Malbec, 10% Tannat and 5% Petit Verdot from Finca Las Mercedes, at about 1,800 meters on sandy soil low in organic matter. Only 25% of the wine spent eight months in used French oak; the rest stayed in steel.

Strawberry, raspberry, pepper, spice and florals lead, then red fruit, a hint of vanilla and round, soft tannins on the palate.

Next to Colomé Estate Malbec, its Hess-owned neighbor, Amalaya is lighter on oak and easier on the wallet; for a fruit-forward Calchaquí Malbec for weeknights, choose Amalaya.

Serve it a little below room temperature and drink it over the next few years, while the fruit is fresh. Try it with grilled steak or empanadas; the Tannat gives it enough grip for beef.

Browse more Malbec and our 90+ point wines under $20. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery in Brooklyn, Manhattan & Queens.