Malbec is an inky dark purple grape with powerful tannins that need a lot of heat for the plummy fruit to be prevalent.  It is one of the original Bordeaux grapes but made a big name for itself in Argentina.  Malbec can also be found in Claret blends (Cabernet-Merlot blends) that became all the rage in England during British-French royal engagements.  (It is well known that the British and French have had a love/hate relationship.)  When the royal families were entangled, Claret was the preferred dinner wine of the British.  When the two countries were at war and trading ceased, Portuguese Ports were the preferred after-dinner wine in England. However, in 1956, a frost hit Bordeaux killing most of the Malbec there.  When comparing French Malbec with Argentinian Malbec, note the viticultural differences. Malbec can thrive in a variety of soil types.  In fertile or clay soils (such as Cahors, France), the berries are larger, with higher acidity and heavier tannins and more earth tones.  In Argentina, where it enjoys more heat, limestone soils in bush vines (goblet system) the berries are smaller, the tannins softer, and the plum and raspberry notes are stronger.  Another important difference is that Argentina typically employs a flood irrigation system.  As the snow melts in the Andes Mountains, the water goes into a small aqueduct canal system that makes its way down the mountains to all of the vineyards. The vineyards themselves are typically biodynamic as to keep all of the vineyard owners happy downstream. Whereas most other parts of the world now have drip systems.