The wines tasted in order of preference.

Norton Malbec 2009: An intense garnet appearance. Multi-layered aromas of chocolate, red and black cherries and some tobacco leaf character. Light flavours with plenty of bright red fruit due to carbonic maceration perhaps. Minimal oak treatment. This wine would have benefited from being picked riper and spending more time in oak. Importer:Brindco Limited. Rs 1500 app. (Duty Paid)

Norton Reserva Malbec 2007: Bright intense purple/garnet appearance. Intense,fruit-driven nose with hints of tar and leather. Blackberries and even some mint show up in the aroma. A rather balanced wine on the palate, exhibiting dark fruit such as plums, cherries with berry-jam notes. A hint of olive tapenade and anise with a medium-long finish. This was closer to what we expected in an Argentinean Malbec.Alc: 14.5% Importer: Brindco Limited. Rs 1500 app.(Duty Paid)

Terrazas Reserva Malbec 2006: Medium deep ruby with rather thin viscous legs. Medium-intensity fruit with plums,damson and raisins along with indication of oak through suggestions of nutmeg and cinnamon on the nose. On the palate, slightly vegetal and stalky with some blackcurrant but lacking the plush character we expected. Finish could be longer. Importer: Mohan Bros. Rs 1210 (Duty Paid)

Terrazas Malbec 2006: A medium-intense ruby-garnet robe. The nose of this wine was a bit closed, despite sitting in the glass for over an hour. Also some suggestion of violets and plums with a slight jammy note. Fresh raspberries on the palate with slight barnyard/earthy character on the nose indicating perhaps a touch of Brettanomyces, the bacterial fault. Overall, a rather light wine with a short finish. Alc: 13.5%. Importer: Mohan Bros. Rs 1650 (Duty Paid)

MTB, Mike Tango Bravo 2007: Deep ruby with some magenta/purple hints at the rim. An interesting nose of red berries, especially cherries, olives, leather along with a delicate floral hint of rose petal. Sweet tannins on the palate with some liquorice and red and black fruit. A concentrated wine with grippy mouth-feel and even some refreshing acidity. Alc: 14%. Importer: FineWinesnMore. Rs 1800 app. (Duty Paid)

Argento Malbec 2009: Ruby robe with some pale brick hints at the rim indicative perhaps of age and/or time spent in oak (ie a 'Reserva'). Another closed example - not much showing on the nose except maybe a hint of red berries. All tasters agreed on this point about the aroma. Slightly cooked fruit with some stalky notes and blackcurrant bud. Some tartness. A short finish. Importer: Ace Beveragez. Rs 655 (Duty Free).