Famiglia Bianchi Malbec Review | World’s Best Red Wine?
Last year the annual wine competition known as the “Vinalies Internationales’ took place in Paris. The event is organized by the French Winemakers Association with the intent to identify the best wines in the world. Over 3,500 wines were presented from 41 countries to be evaluated blindly by 150 members of the international judging panel. Amongst the contestants: the Famiglia Bianchi Malbec 2012 from Casa Bianchi Winery in Mendoza, Argentina.
The results were shocking: Not only was it the first wine from Argentina to receive the top honors from the prestigious panel, but the Famiglia Bianchi Malbec 2012 was awarded the Grand Trophy of “World’s Best Red Wine”.
Yes, you read that right… The best red wine in the world and the best part? It costs less than $20! I’m itching to try the Famiglia Bianchi Malbec after receiving such a distinguished award based solely on it’s quality without any consideration for price or pedigree…
Appearance: A vivid medium garnet.
Nose: Fragrant and floral with violets, juicy red fruits, cinnamon spice and vanilla.
On the palate: The Famiglia Bianchi Malbec 2012 is medium to full bodied with a juicy, plush texture. It’s sweetly fruited with an abundance of raspberry, red currant and black cherry notes at it’s core. The finish is smooth and smoky with licorice, milk chocolate and vanilla. It’s impeccably balanced with little perceptible tannin.
Varietal Composition: 100% Malbec
Vintage: 2012
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Value Rating: 5 / 5
Where I got it: Last Bottle
Price: $16
Score: 91
Should you buy? Absolutely! The Famiglia Bianchi Malbec 2012 offers a silky, charming personality and impeccable balance. Whether it’s the “World Best Red Wine” is debatable, but there’s no question that it’s excellent.
Value Proposition – Famiglia Bianchi Malbec 2012
This was a great pickup from Last Bottle Wines considering the discount and free shipping they regularly offer. But the great thing about the Famiglia Bianchi Malbec is that it doesn’t have to be bought on discount to be an incredible wine for the money. According to Wine-Searcher results, the Famiglia Bianchi Malbec averages a reasonable $17 at retail.
I don’t necessarily agree that this is the “World’s Best Red Wine’. I’d like to see a more structured wine with a bit more intensity before making such a bold declaration; but it is a delicious, finessed, well-made Malbec with a charming personality. A compelling value, it can regularly be found for under $20 and is my new favorite Malbec. For more on where to buy great wines at great prices, check out my comprehensive guide.
I hope I can find a bottle to try. It always intrigues me how a wine can be best of show so to say when it is not the highest scoring. I know there are different factors like price point and x factor etc..,but one would think highest scoring in the price category would always be the winner.
Ray,
I know what you mean. They tasted it double-blind and they determined this to be the best so maybe it had something to do with it’s being ready to drink now and it’s plush texture. But then why wouldn’t it garner a higher score? For me a wine needs more structure to merit a higher score. It was a very nice wine for the money however, and that is one of many factors you mention. Definitely try to find a bottle. Look for it on Wine Searcher, I believe I included a link. Let me know what you think of it.
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