Malbec Explained: Why Washington and New York Wines Taste Nothing Alike

Most people think they know what Malbec tastes like: dark, jammy, plush, perfect with steak. But what if that’s only one version of the story? In this episode of American Wine Rebel, we're tasting two Malbecs that couldn’t be more different: - Gilbert Cellars Malbec from Horse Heaven Hills, Washington. This more classic malbec has structured tannin and big dark fruit flavors. - Benmarl Winery Malbec from Hudson Valley, New York. This cool climate Malbec is light bodied, bright, and full of red fruit and mineral flavors. We’ll trace Malbec’s journey from its French roots (and the frost that nearly killed it) to its rebirth in Argentina and its evolution across the U.S., then explore how terroir and winemaking shape this grape into completely different personalities. If you’ve ever thought “I don’t like Malbec,” this might change your mind. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:10 Introducing the wines 03:11 Malbec’s French origins 04:26 Argentina’s reinvention 05:59 U.S. Malbecs and their new identities 07:11 Tasting #1 – Gilbert Cellars (Horse Heaven Hills, WA) 11:39 Tasting #2 – Benmarl Winery (Hudson Valley, NY) 14:39 Final Thoughts and Why terroir changes everything