We're Not in Argentina Anymore

At our house, malbec has become a favorite recently for its likability and low price. Those Argentine winemakers have got a really good thing going.
So I was surprised to see a malbec from California at the shop across the street, 34th Street Winery. Paul, the owner, said it was the first he had seen, too.
The 2008 Red Rock Winery Reserve Malbec (about $10) had insistent notes of vanilla, and had a plushness to it that was very satisfying.
I found it slightly less spicy than the malbecs from Argentina, but it's definitely worth a second look.