
Malbec wines from Argentina are among the best value red wines in the world; the award-winning 2003 Los Cardos, Malbec produced by the Dona Paula Estate, has a very deep black-purple color, spicy fruit nose and dark fruit, black pepper and slightly mineral flavors; this is full-bodied wine with full, yet not aggressive tannins and a pleasant spicy finish; match with BBQ and grilled meats; Dona Paula is the Argentinean estate of Ricardo Ciaro, director of the large Chilean producer Santa Rita; the firm is less than a decade old but has already built an excellent reputation for dense, well-structured Malbec wines.

John H. Isacs