Sometimes you just get lucky. I happened upon this place with only an hour or so to go in my visit to Malaga, having given up on having any singular food or drink experience to speak of. (Yes, I tried to go to El Pimpi, Oleo, and several other places that were either closed or just meh.) I noticed the promising signage and decided to take a swing.
The owner, Bernardo, is quick with conversation and background knowledge on his stock. As with Nuno and his crew at Castelo in Lisbon, Bernardo communicates a deep-seated passion for the wines he offers, making a point to note that he sells nothing that he doesn’t first enjoy personally. There’s no script here; Bernardo can riff on any of the wines, giving fascinating background on the vineyards, wine makers, and character of each bottle. Like most Argentinians I know, Bernardo and his spot have a certain style and aesthetic that I struggle to describe as sleek traditional: wood, leather, and metal come together in a no-nonsense design with clean lines and, like the menu, reminiscent of a time when simple was good.
If you want a good bottle, a copa of sweet respite from the Andalusian heat, or to fill up on down-home Argentinian bites (and bife!), this is the place to visit.
El Club del Vino, Calle Pedro de Toledo 2 Local B, Malaga, Spain
Posto Novo 