April is malbec month (April 17 is Malbec World Day), making it a marvelous moment (or two) to explore Argentina’s signature grape, as expressed in bottles of wine. The Show malbec offers great structure packed with blackberry and cranberry notes, hints of white pepper, and an overall heft that suggests it is fine tonight, but can also spend some time in your cool dark shelf space for a year or three, $19.
Not all malbecs are alike, and easy proof is to try the Show, preceded by perennial favourite Pascual Toso, at $14 a true bargain, with its generous dark fruit and great balance. The wine is lighter on its feet than the Show, and has a marvelous bright fruit aroma that belies its underlying structure. So, some finesse, then some power; these two wines will make any barbecue special, even if all you’re grilling is zucchini, red onions, and bread.
