Malbec — the grape that once quietly thrived in the South West of France — has become a symbol of Argentina’s viticultural identity.
Originally hailing from Cahors, where it still produces dark, tannic wines known as “the black wines of Cahors,” Malbec also remains a minor but significant component of Bordeaux blends. Yet, it is across the Atlantic, under the Andean sun, that this grape has truly found its home.
From France to Argentina: A Grape’s Reinvention
Malbec’s story in Argentina began in the mid-19th century, likely around 1865, when the French agronomist Michel Aimé Pouget was invited to lead the country’s first agricultural school, the Quinta Normal de Agricultura. With him came Malbec vines from France, which adapted seamlessly to the Argentine climate — warm, sunny, and diverse in altitude and terroir.
Despite this promising start, Malbec’s path wasn’t without setbacks. During the 1980s, the global wine market shifted toward white varietals such as Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Many Argentine growers replaced Malbec vines, considering them too rustic.
Everything changed in the 1990s when winemaker Paul Hobbs and Jorge Catena — brother of Nicolás Catena of Catena Zapata — revived Malbec’s potential through modern winemaking techniques and careful site selection. Their efforts sparked a revolution, propelling Argentine Malbec to international fame.
Today, Argentina produces the world’s most acclaimed Malbecs, and the 2025 Wine-Searcher rankings confirm that the top expressions are almost exclusively born from Mendoza’s high-altitude vineyards.
Top 10 Malbecs of 2025 (Wine-Searcher Ranking)
1. Familia Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal
- Critic Score: 97 points
- Average Price: USD 248
- Region: Paraje Altamira, Mendoza
A benchmark for precision and power, the Gravascal reflects Sebastián Zuccardi’s meticulous craftsmanship. Grown at 1100 meters, the wine showcases intense minerality, elegant fruit, and a long, structured finish. The Zuccardi family’s journey, which began with Alberto Zuccardi’s irrigation experiments in Maipú in the 1940s, has become one of Argentina’s great success stories.
2. Familia Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita Supercal
- Critic Score: 97 points
- Average Price: USD 275
Another Zuccardi triumph, the Supercal is rich and fruit-driven, with depth and tension. Its limestone soils contribute to the wine’s remarkable freshness and finesse.
3. Bodega Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae
- Critic Score: 96 points
- Average Price: USD 259
From Argentina’s pioneering family of fine wine, the Mundus Bacillus Terrae comes from the Adrianna Vineyard, named after Nicolás Catena’s daughter. The name references the beneficial soil microbes that enhance terroir expression. Today, under Dr. Laura Catena’s leadership, Catena Zapata continues to set the standard for Argentine excellence.
4. Familia Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita
- Critic Score: 96 points
- Average Price: USD 156
The “classic” Piedra Infinita captures the balance between structure and grace that defines the Altamira terroir — one of the purest expressions of mountain-grown Malbec.
5. Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard River Stones Malbec
- Critic Score: 95 points
- Average Price: USD 185
This wine owes its name to the vineyard’s bed of pale river stones, remnants of an ancient riverbed. These stones absorb heat during the day and release it at night, contributing to the vines’ perfect balance and the wine’s refined texture.
6. El Enemigo As Bravas Malbec
- Critic Score: 96 points
- Average Price: USD 100
El Enemigo, a collaboration between Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena, has achieved cult status. The As Bravas Malbec offers intensity and elegance, underpinned by the pedigree of its creators.
7. Familia Zuccardi Finca Cerrilladas
- Critic Score: 96 points
- Average Price: USD 115
Grown in high-altitude vineyards with gravel and limestone soils, the Cerrilladas Malbec displays precision, minerality, and expressive aromatics.
8. Bodega Noemía Malbec, Río Negro, Patagonia
- Critic Score: 95 points
- Average Price: USD 168
Breaking Mendoza’s dominance, Bodega Noemía is a Patagonian gem. Founded by Countess Noemí Marone Cinzano and Danish winemaker Hans Vinding-Diers, it sources grapes from century-old, pre-phylloxera vines in the Río Negro desert. The result is a refined, ethereal Malbec aged in new French oak.
- Critic Score: 95 points
- Average Price: USD 229
Founded by Paul Hobbs, Viña Cobos is synonymous with modern Argentine precision. The Cobos Malbec embodies the winery’s mission to elevate Malbec to world-class status, offering layered complexity and polished tannins.
10. Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae Malbec
- Critic Score: 95 points
- Average Price: USD 125
Meaning “luck of the land,” the Fortuna Terrae highlights the purity of the Gualtallary subregion. Its floral notes and fine texture make it one of the most elegant Malbecs in Argentina.
Conclusion
The 2025 Wine-Searcher list highlights a simple truth: Argentina continues to lead the world in Malbec excellence. With producers like Zuccardi, Catena Zapata, El Enemigo, Viña Cobos, and Bodega Noemía refining the grape’s expression year after year, Malbec’s journey from the river valleys of Cahors to the foothills of the Andes remains one of wine’s most inspiring success stories.
Source: Wine-Searcher