Escudo de Oro Malbec 2018

High-altitude Malbec from … Spain? You read that right – and this exciting discovery shows that Argentina isn’t the only country that’s mastered Malbec. That’s a good thing, as Malbec continues to be one of the world’s most in-demand reds.

As you’ll taste here, Spain’s Tomás Buendía, a top talent at the acclaimed Fontana Bodegas & Viñedos, has – literally – a sky-high quality advantage. His family vineyard, located just south of Madrid, is perched at over 2,500 feet (that’s higher than many vineyards in Argentina). At this height, his Malbec grapes are buffeted by chilly winds at night and baked in the hot sun all day, a setup that yields wines with wonderfully vibrant aromas and intensely concentrated, dark-fruit flavors.

The intensity of these grapes was so lovely, Tomás chose to leave Escudo de Oro (which means ‘golden shield’) unoaked – letting all that pure, juicy blackberry and plum flavor shine through in your glass. Velvety and rich, this is a top pick for meaty steaks or lamb chops. Or, try a favorite pairing suggested by Tomás: chorizo-based stews (heavy on the paprika, garlic, and roasted red peppers).

Since Tomás is already having a hard time keeping up with demand, you’ll want to stock up while our cases of this smooth red last – especially at this price.