Clay Station 2001 Malbec Lodi ($13). Red cherry and berry fruit is ripe and concentrated, with appealing nutmeg and cinnamon spices and toasty vanilla oak. New line from Delicato. Easy to drink and ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 06/03)

Clayhouse 2008 Malbec Paso Robles ($15). Nice price on a bold, full-flavored wine, with loads of rich, concentrated blackberry and raspberry fruit accented with light peppery and tobacco notes and milk chocolate that lingers on the smooth finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-02-27)

McDermaid Family Vineyard 2007 Malbec Red Hills Lake County ($25). Balanced and nicely complex, offering aromatic layers of blackberry, deep plum, cherry, bittersweet chocolate, star anise and nutmeg notes, with a bright, generous finish and appealing underlying grip. Ready to drink now and over the next 3-4 years. (2011-03-15)

Sawbuck 2008 Malbec Yolo County ($10). Okay, actually. This Central Valley California Malbec offers decent concentration, blackberry and currant fruit, and a touch of spicy earth. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2011-06-22)

Yorkville Cellars 2001 Malbec Yorkville Highlands ($18). Slurpable, with ripe red cherry and wild blueberry, picking up cedar notes on the finish. Manages to maintain a refined note – very nice all around. (Great barbecue wine!) Ready to drink now. (Robyn’s Picks, 06/04)