NQN Malma Family Reserve Malbec 2022 Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina 75cl

Bodega Malma, formerly NQN, is a leading name in Patagonian wine, set at San Patricio del Chanar in Neuquen. Its name means pride in the Mapuche tongue, and the estate has been central to establishing this cool, southern frontier as a serious wine region, working with experienced winemaking hands.

The Family Reserve sits a step above the everyday range, a Malbec drawn from Patagonia’s windswept, high-desert vineyards. Cool nights and constant breezes build deep colour, firm structure and freshness, giving a more serious, ageworthy style of the grape. It reflects the winery’s belief in the potential of the far south.

From the 2022 vintage, this is a structured young Malbec with the balance to drink now with air or to develop over the next few years in the cellar. A little patience will pay off.

Expect concentrated dark fruit, herbs and a savoury, gently spiced note, with well-judged oak adding a fine, toasty frame. The tannins are firm but ripe, carrying a long finish. Decant a young bottle and serve with grilled lamb, a Sunday roast or a mature hard cheese. It will only improve with a year or two more.

This is a Malbec for those who like structure and freshness over sheer weight, a Patagonian counterpoint to the richer reds of Mendoza. If you enjoy cool-climate reds with a savoury edge, the Family Reserve rewards a considered meal or a special occasion. Give a young bottle air and it settles into a poised, savoury red worth sitting with over a long dinner.