Like many wine producers, Alamos produces a couple different tiers of their wines.  I’ve previously reviewed their entry-level Malbec, which was pretty good.  This bottle, branded Alamos Selección, is the higher-tier Malbec from Alamos.  And while it’s at the high end of wines produced under the Alamos brand, these wines are part of the Catena family, which releases a number of even-more-high-end Malbec under the Catena brands.  Price-wise, at 20 bucks it’s at the upper end of what we cover at Cheap Wine Ratings, but it’s also approaching the upper end of enjoyability.  And that’s the suggested retail price, so you should be able to find it on sale for less.

Alamos Selección Malbec is 100% Malbec from high altitude vineyards in the Mendoza region.  All of the grapes for this Malbec came from vineyards in the Uco Valley.  The wine was aged in a combination of French and American oak.

Like most Malbec, the color of this wine is a deep purple.  But this one is really deeeeeeeeep purple.

Have I ever used “OMG” in any of my reviews?  If not, I have now, because OMG, I love the intensity and complexity on the nose of this wine.  Caramel, coffee, cherry, cassis, blueberry and a light smoky aroma give this wine outstanding complexity and it all comes through powerfully!  On the palate it’s black cherry and cassis with good concentration. There’s a little bit of a black pepper on the finish.  The tannins are firm, but not heavy.

The bottom line, this is an excellent Malbec.

Wine: Alamos Selección
Variety: Malbec
Vintage: 2007
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 89
Price: $20.00

Find Alamos Selección Malbec with Snooth

Disclosure: This wine was provided as a sample for review.