I still remember when I was sticking mostly to whites—light Pinot Grigios, crisp Sauvignon Blancs, maybe a Rosé on a sunny day. Reds just felt like… a lot. Too bold, too dry, too heavy.  If you’re just starting to explore red wines, let me save you some trial and error and point you straight to a gem: Thousand Lives Malbec.

Wine Review: Angelica Zapata Malbec 2021 Mendoza, Argentina | 13.5% ABV | $50 at Total Wine

Angelica Zapata Malbec 2021 is a bold and expressive wine that showcases the quintessential character of Argentine Malbec. With a deep purple hue, it opens with inviting aromas of ripe cherry, plum, oak, chocolate mint, and delicate violet—each note unfolding gracefully in the glass.