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.
The Waxed Bat Reserve
"Big and gold, lots of chocolaty plum fruit, cassis, tobacco, liquorice. An extremely polished effort" (Decanter World Wine Awards). The legendary Opi Sadler has triumphed again! His Waxed Bat Reserve edition had taken Gold and Platinum medals, then Best in Show Trophy at the highly prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards. That was beating 17,000 other wines from around the world. Perhaps it should be of no surprise when we know it has so much intense ripe black fruit and creamy oak. It clearly shows that Malbec and Cabernet from Argentina's high altitude Mendoza region is a match made in heaven. Even better when the wines are aged in barrel, too. It's a sumptuous mouthfilling red, smooth enough to drink solo but at its very best with garlic studded roast lamb, a juicy steak or a warming casserole. Decant early if you can.
Flight of the Condor Malbec
The fruit for this impressive malbec is picked from young vines grown at altitude in Mendoza. The altitude contributes to the vitality of this generously flavoured red. There is good integration of oak whilst the wine remains focused on a fresh fruit profile on the palate, and is complemented stylishly by violet aromatics.
Hardys Brave New World Malbec Shiraz Merlot
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.
Zuccardi Q Malbec
Zuccardi have been at the forefront of quality winemaking in Argentina for decades and the Q range showcases this dedication to quality. Attention to detail during vinification and maturation in French oak has created a masterpiece Malbec which can be enjoyed now or cellared for many years.
Finca Las Moras Malbec
The desert climate produces a soft, medium to full bodied wine with a ripe red fruit flavour and an elegant touch of smoke and vanilla from its contact with wood.
El Payador Argentinian Malbec
Deep red in the glass with a bold and expressive nose of black fruits and raspberries with subtle notes of spicy oak. The palate is medium bodied with compelling red berry flavours framed by chalky tannins and a savoury character. An impressively long, dry finish makes it a good match for lamb back straps with rosemary and garlic.
Santa Julia Reserva Malbec
Santa Julia is a clear example of the combination of the quality and diversity of Mendocinian soils, resulting in this modern wine. Aged in French Oak Barrels for 10 months. Ludicrously dark violet in colour, this Malbec has ripe red and black fruits aromas with notes of vanilla, chocolate and tabacco on the nose. It is medium bodied, with the classic soft tannins of a Malbec.
Bleasdale Vineyards Generations Malbec
This wine is dark purple with intense aromas of violets, blackberries, plums and clove spice. Drinking well now, but with the potential to be a long term cellaring prospect if desired. Lightly fined and racked before bottling without filtration, it is normal for some sediment to form. Decanting one hour before drinking is recommended. Bleasdale is not only one of the oldest wineries in the Langhorne Creek region, but one of the oldest in Australia. Frank Potts, who founded Bleasdale in 1850, has a fascinating history. Born with sea legs, he joined the British Royal Navy at 9 years old and served on Lord Nelsons famous ship HMS Victory. He sailed around the world before landing in South Australia in 1836. He planted the first vines in 1858 and sold fruit to Thomas Hardy. He then expanded the vineyards in the 1860s. He was an innovator and a pioneer who played his role in establishing Australias wine industry. The Potts family still own Bleasdale and descendants Michael and Ben Potts handle the winemaking duties, along with Paul Hotker. They make wines from fruit grown on their 61 hectares of vineyards from varietals like Verdelho, Shiraz and Malbec in sparkling, table and fortified styles. Each parcel of fruit is carefully selected to produce a range of wines that can be enjoyed immediately, or cellared for that special occasion.