HOUGHTON C.W. Ferguson Cabernet Malbec, Great Southern

COSSE MAISON NEUVE Lafage, Cahors Rouge 100% Malbec. A nose of ink and coffee and a mouthful on the black fruits, velvety tannins, a formidable balance with a nice fresh tension. The fruit for the Lafage Cahors Rouge is sourced from a 5 ha vineyard with an average vine age of 30 years planted on soils of clay and gravel. The juice is vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wine then spends 14 months in barrels before being bottled without filtering.

COSSE MAISON NEUVE Les Laquets, Cahors Rouge 100% Malbec. A nose marked by black fruits and a mouth on blackberry, blueberry and black cherry. A silky material with a remarkable tannin. The fruit for the Les Laquets is sourced from a 5.5 ha vineyard with an average vine age of 60 years planted on soils of red clay and cracked limestone. The juice is vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats with several piegages. The wine then spends up to two years in barrels before being bottled without filtering.

Zuccardi Seria A Malbec is an excellent example of this variety which thrives in Argentina. Dark berries with a hint of pepper on the nose, and a spicy, well structured palate with a touch of oak.

Aromas of cinnamon spiced Mocha and fresh black berries and plums float from the glass with hints of Grandpa's pipe tobacco wafting in. The dark chocolate lined palate shows fresh black berries, black currant, plum and morello cherries with lovely chewy fine chocalately tannin that lingers.

Houghton CW Ferguson Cabernet Malbec is a tribute to Charles William Ferguson. A pioneer of the Swan Valley region, Charles Ferguson was committed to developing the area along with the reputation of Houghton's. This Cabernet Malbec is the first release and is accumulating a list of gold medals the envy of most, including the Regional Trophy for best Australian red blend over £10 at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2011.