Fresh pressed:

Sip of the Day

September 27, 2021

Day #270 of the year.

Bodega Norton Reserva Malbec

Asking for Malbec at a bar makes me feel refined and snooty. It must have something to do with how the word feels when I say it, a drawn-out “Mal” and distinct, decisive “bec” like clicking a manicured finger on the bar, once. And yet Malbec isn’t known for being snooty, by any means. It is popular for being approachable, juicy, and a great value, especially when it’s from Argentina (the most classic Malbec). But in the past twenty years, Argentinian Malbec has grown more elegant and refined, almost as though it heard the sound of its own name and wants to live up to it. Norton Reserva Malbec toes the line expertly between good value with approachability and complex, age-worthy flavors. This is a great Malbec to order out or pair with your next meal—a juicy, seared steak would be perfect.

ORIGIN

Mendoza, Argentina

Grapes

100% Malbec

Tasting Notes

Intense red color with purplish hues. In the nose, it is an expressive wine with ripe black fruits, violets, spices and tobacco. In the mouth, it is wide and fleshy with a lingering finish.

Food Match

A great match for steak, pork, and lamb, as well as fattier fish like salmon and poultry with dark meat.

AUTHOR:

Diana Zahuranec

Diana studied Anthropology at Penn State and Food Culture & Communications at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy. After living la bella vita in Italy for six years, she returned to the U.S. and landed in NYC. She has been working in wine since 2012 and holds WSET 2. Loves Nebbiolo and amaro. Talk to her about Italy.