by Kim McCullough
Malbec has traveled a fascinating path—from its Old World roots in Cahors to the sun-drenched peaks of Mendoza’s Uco Valley and Paraje Altamira. But today, a new contender has emerged for producing the best Malbec wines: Washington State. At Cellar Beast Winehouse, we’re redefining what premium Malbec can be, crafting small-lot Malbec wines that reflect the purity, precision, and power of the Pacific Northwest.
We work with three iconic vineyard sites, Candy Mountain, Red Mountain, and Yakima Valley, to produce terroir-specific bottlings that showcase the diversity of Washington Malbec. Whether you're looking to buy Malbec wine online, explore Malbec Reserve wine, or secure your share of limited-release Malbec through our Malbec wine club, you’ve come to the right place for full-bodied red wines.
Explore our Cellar Beast Malbec Collection →
What Makes a Malbec Wine the Best?
The hallmarks of world-class Malbec include dense dark fruit flavors, notes of plum, cocoa powder, and violet, and a smooth finish that speaks to careful aging and balance. At Cellar Beast, we amplify these traits by:
- Sourcing from premier Washington Malbec vineyards with excellent diurnal temperature shift
- Selecting rocky, sandy, and loamy soils that add mineral depth
- Using a mix of French oak and Minnesota oak to fine-tune structure
- Practicing minimal intervention winemaking for authenticity, resulting in wine with minimal residual sugars
- Employing thoughtful clonal selection and gentle extraction
- Prioritizing malbec grapes that exhibit concentration and balance
Unlike Argentinian Malbec from Luján de Cuyo or French Malbec from Cahors or Chilean wines, Washington Malbec stands out for its acidity, minerality, and balanced structure—akin to a modern blend between Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Bordeaux precision. Similar to robust reds like Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, Washington Malbec also displays exceptional aging potential.
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Washington’s Best Malbec Vineyards — The Source of Distinction
Yakima Valley Malbec
Terroir: Sandy and loamy soils, well-draining soils with long sunny days and cool nights.
Flavor Profile: Black cherry, red plum, espresso, and violet. Aged in neutral oak to preserve freshness and aromatics.
Buy Yakima Valley Malbec Online →
Red Mountain Malbec — Scooteney Flats Vineyard
Terroir: Volcanic rock, high solar intensity, and warm days balanced by evening airflows.
Flavor Profile: Blackberry, cocoa, graphite, long finish. Our flagship Malbec Reserve wine has age-worthy tannins and elegant minerality.
Candy Mountain Malbec
Terroir: Washington’s smallest AVA with stony benches and excellent drainage.
Flavor Profile: Ripe plum, vanilla, baking spice. Aged in 25% new Minnesota oak for a bold, spice-driven finish with hints of maracona almond.
Learn more about Malbec Wines in our recent post.
Best Malbec Wines to Buy Online
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Inside the Cellar — Crafting the Best Malbec Wine
At Cellar Beast, each small-lot Malbec is fermented in micro-batches, using native yeast when possible. We rely on minimal intervention and a rigorous barrel selection process to ensure that only the finest expressions become our Malbec Reserve wine.
Oak Aging:
- Neutral French oak (Yakima Valley)
- Mixed French & Minnesota oak (Candy Mountain)
- New French oak (Red Mountain Reserve)
Malbec grapes are handled gently, allowing for the integration of tannins and purity. Every decision in the cellar—from fermentation temperature to racking schedules—is made to bring out the vineyard’s voice. When evaluating Malbec grapes, we look for ripeness, color intensity, and mouth-coating tannins that signal a truly full-bodied red wine.
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Perfect Food Pairings for Malbec Lovers
Classic Pairings:
- Grilled red meats, especially steak and lamb
- Blue cheese, aged cheddar, manchego
- Mushroom risotto, roasted root vegetables
Modern Ideas:
- Mole, BBQ brisket, smoked tofu
- Spiced lentil stews, portobello burgers
Tips:
- Serve at 60–65°F
- Decant for 30 minutes (especially Reserve)
- Use large Bordeaux-style stemware
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Why Cellar Beast Malbecs Belong in Every Wine Club Cellar
When you join our Wine Club, you gain:
- Early access to limited-release Malbec
- 10–15% savings on all wines
- Exclusive tastings, including verticals of Red Mountain Malbec
- First look at Malbec Reserve bottlings and small-lot gems
Buying the Best Malbec Wine Online
- Secure, user-friendly checkout at Cellar Beast Winehouse
- Malbec delivery available in most U.S. states via Vinoshipper
- Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back
- Perfect for collectors, enthusiasts, and gift-givers
Conclusion — Taste What Defines the Best Malbec Wine
At Cellar Beast, we combine thoughtful winemaking with Washington’s volcanic terroir to craft the best Malbec wine available online. Whether you love the plush texture of Candy Mountain Malbec, the power of Red Mountain Malbec, or the elegance of Yakima Valley Malbec, our collection offers something unforgettable.
As Malbec expands its influence beyond Argentina into areas like San Juan, La Rioja, and even Napa Valley, our Washington-grown expressions set a new standard for bold, balanced red wines made from Malbec grapes.
Shop Our Malbec Wines or Join the Cellar Beast Wine Club for a unique tasting experience
FAQs — Malbec Wine from Cellar Beast Winehouse
1. What makes a Malbec wine one of the best?
The best Malbec wines offer a balance of dark fruit flavors, vibrant acidity, smooth tannins, and a long finish. At Cellar Beast, we focus on small-lot production using premium malbec grapes from top Washington AVAs, minimal intervention winemaking, and precise oak aging to highlight each vineyard's unique character. Learn more about Malbec Wine Taste here.
2. Where are Cellar Beast’s Malbec vineyards located?
We source our malbec grapes from three premier Washington regions: Yakima Valley, Red Mountain (Scooteney Flats), and Candy Mountain. Each site brings its own terroir-driven profile to the wines—from elegant and fresh to bold and structured.
3. What’s the difference between Candy Mountain and Red Mountain Malbec?
Candy Mountain Malbec is plush, spice-driven, and partially aged in Minnesota oak for a soft, ripe texture. Red Mountain Malbec (Scooteney Flats), bottled as our Malbec Reserve, is structured and mineral-driven with deep dark fruit and firm tannins, aged in French oak.
4. How long can I age your Malbec wines?
Our Malbec Reserve (Red Mountain) can age gracefully for 10–15 years. Candy Mountain and Yakima Valley Malbecs are ideal within 3–8 years, depending on your preference for freshness vs. development.
5. Do Wine Club members get Malbec exclusives?
Yes. Club members enjoy early access to limited release Malbecs, exclusive pricing, vertical tastings, and first rights to new or library Malbec Reserve wine releases.
6. Can I ship Malbec wine to my state?
We ship to most U.S. states via Vinoshipper. A signature from someone 21+ is required. You can view our full shipping policy on the Cellar Beast website.
7. What foods pair best with Cellar Beast Malbecs?
Malbec pairs beautifully with red meats like grilled steak and lamb, bold cheeses such as blue cheese, and rich vegetarian dishes like mushroom risotto or mole. Its bold structure and dark fruit flavors complement full-flavored, savory foods.
8. How can I taste Malbecs before joining the club?
You can visit our tasting room at Cellar Beast Winehouse in Andreas, PA for a personalized tasting experience. We often feature verticals or single-vineyard flights that include Malbec wines from each AVA we source from.
9. Are your Malbecs small-production or estate-grown?
Our Malbec wines are all small-lot and handcrafted. We source malbec grapes from carefully selected partner vineyards in Washington, rather than estate-growing in PA, allowing us to work with top-tier AVAs like Red Mountain and Candy Mountain. Learn more about Malbec Vineyards here.
10. What makes a Malbec Reserve special?
Our Malbec Reserve is a barrel selection from the most structured, age-worthy lots—typically from Red Mountain’s Scooteney Flats Vineyard. These wines receive longer aging in French oak and represent the pinnacle of our Malbec program in terms of power, balance, and cellar potential.
About the Author
I’m Kim McCullough, co-founder of Cellar Beast Winehouse. I’ve spent years building connections between wine, land, and community. Alongside our talented winemaking team, I help select the sites, barrels, and experiences that bring you closer to the best bottles we craft. Whether it’s hosting tastings or curating our wine club membership, I’m here to help you explore the boldest expressions of Malbec wine from Washington State.
Join me in tasting what’s next — one premium Malbec bottle at a time.
