Comparison
Argentine Malbec vs Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
How Argentine Malbec and Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Argentine Malbec has more floral character; Argentine Malbec has more spice; Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon has more tannin.
Choose
Argentine Malbec
Choose Argentine Malbec if you want something more floral, spicier, rounder and creamier in texture.
Choose
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Choose Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon if you want something more tannic and structured, stronger and warmer, more oaky.
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.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Argentine Malbec is spicier: medium against low.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon is more tannic and structured: medium-plus against medium.
Alcohol
Clear differencePerceived alcoholic strength, which tracks actual ABV but is modified by sweetness, acidity and body.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon is stronger and warmer: high against medium-plus.
Oak influence
Clear differencePerceptible impact of barrel or alternative oak contact — vanilla, toast, coconut, smoke, cedar and added texture.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon is more oaky: medium-plus against medium.
Texture
Clear differenceMouthfeel independent of weight — from lean and cutting through to creamy, waxy or velvety. Driven by lees contact, malolactic conversion, skin contact and ageing.
Argentine Malbec is rounder and creamier in texture: 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.
- Acidity: Similar — both medium.
- Body: Similar — both high.
- Fruit intensity: Similar — both high.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Argentine Malbec | Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon |
|---|---|---|
| Floral character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Oak influence | 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 high (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Body | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Perceived freshness | 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, cassis, cedar, vanilla, dried herbs |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Style
Argentine Malbec
Mendoza’s velvet-textured, violet-scented red — soft, generous and the wine that made Malbec international.
Style
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet from Sonoma’s warmer inland valleys — a little softer and more red-fruited than Napa.
Comparison
Argentine Malbec vs Cahors
The same grape in its adopted home and its original one — and why they taste unrelated.