Comparison
Argentine Malbec vs Brunello di Montalcino
How Argentine Malbec and Brunello di Montalcino differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Argentine Malbec has more floral character; Brunello di Montalcino has more earthy character; Brunello di Montalcino has more acidity.
Choose
Brunello di Montalcino
Choose Brunello di Montalcino if you want something earthier, fresher and more acidic, more tannic and structured.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Argentine Malbec is more floral: medium-plus against low.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Brunello di Montalcino is earthier: medium-plus against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Brunello di Montalcino is fresher and more acidic: high against medium.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Brunello di Montalcino is more tannic and structured: high against medium.
Savoury character
Clear differenceNon-fruit, umami-adjacent character: meat, leather, olive, soy, broth, cured notes. Often increases with age.
Brunello di Montalcino is more savoury: high against medium.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Argentine Malbec is fuller and richer: high against medium-plus.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium.
- Herbal / green character: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Argentine Malbec | Brunello di Montalcino |
|---|---|---|
| Floral character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Body | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Texture | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 16–18°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | blackberry, black plum, violet, cocoa, blueberry | black cherry, leather, dried herbs, tobacco, espresso |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Style
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