Wine: Greg Norman Estates Malbec

Grape: Malbec

Region: Mendoza, Northern Argentina

Vintage: 2012

Price: $5.99

Availability: All major wine retailers

In the glass: Greg Norman Malbec is a deep opaque crimson-red color with a deep dense inky core going out into a fine light purplish-red rim definition with medium viscosity.

On the nose: There are earthy berry notes, with crushed brambleberries, ripe Bing cherries, phenols, licorice root, loganberry fruit, black currant juice, root fruits, roast meat and rustic minerality.

On the palate: The wine attacks the palate full on with supple, yet concentrated cherry liqueur, liquid black licorice, chewy black currant drops, “hot” spice elements and earthy plummy fruit with underlying minerals. The midpalate is concentrated with earthy fruit and phenol going into a long ripe finish that again reveals licorice, black cherry liqueur, raspberry coulis and some woodsy notes.

Odds and ends: Greg Norman is not only a world-famous golfer, he is also a pretty skilled wine guy. He has joined golfers Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Jack Nicklaus and Mike Weir in making his mark on the wine business.

Norman’s initial focus was naturally on wines from his home country of Australia, but as the brand grew and his wines began to sell in a variety of countries, he expanded to include wines from other countries. This malbec is just such a wine and it comes from the vast Mendoza region in northern Argentina.

Made in the greatest tradition and with a true eye for quality, it is a fabulous value, too. It probably should cost at least twice as much if not more, knowing the brand philosophy of “premium” quality wines, but it is a boon for us wine consumers.

It is a great wine for that chargrilled bone-in rib-eye you’re about to toss on the grill. Drink it through 2018.

Gil Lempert-Schwarz’s wine column appears Wednesdays. Write him at P.O. Box 50749, Henderson, NV 89106-0749, or email him at gil@winevegas.com