Taylors Estate Merlot
In just a few short decades, the Taylor family have etched out a formidable reputation for producing high quality wine from their Clare Valley vineyards. This textbook Merlot captures the varietal characters of berries, fruitcake and velvety tannins. The judicious use of French and American oak adds mocha and vanilla softens and rounds the palate.
Tar & Roses Tempranillo
The Tar & Roses Tempranillo is a great example of what 20 year old Tempranillo vines are achieving in Australia. On the nose there are juicy rich mulberries, freshly dug earth with hints of blackcurrant and aniseed. The palate has impressive length, balance and structure.
The Waxed Bat
Sun, clear air, cool elevated vineyards and great winemaking skills give Argentina all the ingredients for world class wines. Joanna Simon says: "As a wine country, Argentina has everything going for it" (The Sunday Times). The Waxed Bat is a triumphant creation from our good friend Opi Sadler, winner of two international Trophies to date, and winemaker at Andean Vineyards. The wine's name was inspired by memories of his grandfather's cellar - wine bottles sealed with heavy red wax and an occasional bat fluttering in the lamp light. Spicy, liquorice scented Shiraz, cassis laden Cabernet and dense Malbec create power and complexity. Smooth enough to drink on its own and terrific with spare ribs, steak or kebabs. Decant an hour in advance.
HJ Fabre Barrel Selection Patagonia Malbec
Argentine Malbec doesn't get much finer than this. From a Bordeaux wine family, Hervé came to South America to look for a vineyard and fell in love with old vine Malbec. He not only bought vineyards but also made his home there. Having started in Mendoza, he now has an estate in Patagonia too. He runs his properties like a top Bordeaux château, with impressive barrel cellar and meticulous attention to detail. This hugely impressive cuvée comes from 30 year old Malbec vines grown in Patagonia's Río Negro. Made like a fine claret, the juice was pumped over to extract colour from grape skins during fermentation then aged for 12 months in French oak barriques. Silky with violet and liquorice aromas and dense black fruit, it's perfect with beef.
Alambrado Malbec ()
Moreishly fruity, Alambrado is from Familia Zuccardi, one of the finest cellars in all Argentina. Zuccardi are three times winner of Argentina’s ‘Top Value Brand’, presented by IWC, and family head José Alberto Zuccardi was given a lifetime achievement award by IWC in 2016. The family enjoy state of the art facilities in Maipo and Uco, yet remain committed to employing the local families who have served the company since José’s father’s time. This smooth, fruity Malbec is simple and tasty, with lots of easy-going fruit. A perfect midweek wine, with or without food, and here in a handy quarter size.
Little Giant Malbec
This new release from Little Giant is an absolute cracker! Sourced from dry grown vineyards across South Australia, this is a classic looking Malbec with a deep crimson colour in the glass. Dark berry aromas are complemented by floral hints and a subtle sweet tobacco influence that is so typical of this varietal. The palate is bursting with juicy black fruits, a touch of oak and a soft easy-going tannin structure making it a perfect match for any kind of barbecued meats. At 14% abv, this stunning Malbec is terrific to drink now, but will cellar extremely well and soften over the next 2 - 6 years.
Macho Gaucho Malbec
This superb wine abounds with intense cherry, chocolate and spice flavours. Like the Gauchos its velvety smooth on the outside but mucho macho on the inside. Salud!
Claymore London Calling Cabernet Malbec
Inviting and complex aromatics welcome you into this wine; brambly, leafy notes backed up by deep dark fruit with subtle spice and char interplay on the nose. There is a deceptive density to this wine's aroma that hints at what lies beyond. The 2016 release builds on that breakthrough style - the wine shows plush generosity but there is a layering of flavours and complexity to this vintage that invites not just a second but third look. Generous, accessible primary fruit sits pretty up front but let the wine breathe and suddenly these dry, fine and lightly chewy tannins build on the back palate, lending a savoury edge to the dark fruit finish of this baby.
Jim Barry The Forger Malbec
Electric dark purple in the glass. Aromas of cherry, violet and sage explode from the glass. Flavours of cherry, dark chocolate and bouquet garni. This luscious wine saturates the palate and fills the mouth with fine chalky tannins and a burst of purple fruit before a crescendo of cranberry juice acidy, keeping the wine fresh and vibrant.
Kings of Prohibition Malbec
Kings of Prohibition Malbec is savoury and seamless. Delicious flavours of black raspberry, pepper & licorice with great finesse & depth.