Comparison
Tannat vs Malbec
The two South American reds most likely to be on the same shelf, and readers want to know which is the softer bet.
The short answer
The main differences: Malbec has more floral character; Malbec has more spice; Tannat has more earthy character.
Worth knowing
Malbec is the plusher and more forgiving of the two, with softer tannin and rounder fruit. Tannat has substantially more grip — the name is not a coincidence — and Uruguayan Tannat is deliberately made softer than Madiran precisely because of it. With a steak, either; without food, Malbec.
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.
Malbec is more floral: medium against low.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Malbec is spicier: medium 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.
Tannat is earthier: medium against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Tannat is fresher and more acidic: medium-plus against medium.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Tannat is more tannic and structured: high against medium-plus.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Tannat 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.
- Fruit intensity: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium.
- Herbal / green character: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Tannat | Malbec |
|---|---|---|
| Floral character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Spice | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Earthy character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Tannin | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Body | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Texture | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| 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) |
| Perceived freshness | medium (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 16–18°C | 15–17°C |
| Typical flavours | blackberry, plum, smoke, licorice, dark chocolate | blackberry, black plum, violet, cocoa, blueberry |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Tannat
One of the most tannic wine grapes in commercial use, native to south-west France and the national variety of Uruguay.
Grape
Malbec
A dark, velvety variety that struggled in its French homeland and became Argentina’s national grape.
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