Essence of blackcurrant. Bay leaves, licorice, tobacco and musky oak. One of those wines that seems to cascade through the mouth. Tremendous purity, freshness, elegance. Great release. Not much need be said. Pure velvet. Pure length. Drink 2019-2032.

‘Inveniam Viam’ means ‘I Shall Find a Way’ in Latin. MMXIX is the Roman Numerals for the vintage 2019. The story on the back label: “ Never has a phrase better embodied Bleasdale’s founder, Frank Potts. A man who joined the navy at age nine, emigrated to South Australia at age 21 with naught but a carpentry set to his name, who then proceeded to establish a vineyard and winery that would carry on his legacy for more than 170 years and counting.” The story on the inside of the presentation box: “Inveniam Viam perfectly captures the spirit of Bleasdale’s founder, Frank Potts, and his unwavering determination to overcome challenges and pursue innovation. In 1836 at the age of 21, Frank Potts emigrated to South Australia with nothing but a carpentry set to his name. He built a sailing boat to trade salt, which led to a commission to build a ferry. During his work on the ferry, Frank passed through Langhorne Creek, where he would later purchase the first sections of land and establish Bleasdale in 1850. Frank planted vineyards and developed an innovative system of levees and floodgates to take advantage of the natural flooding from the Bremer River, which still benefits the region today. In addition to his winery and house, Frank built a forge and became a skilled blacksmith to craft his own metal tools and equipment. Upon his retirement, he returned to his passion for boat-building and created several more river vessels.

COSSE MAISON NEUVE Marguerite, Cahors Rouge 100% Malbec. La Marguerite is a silky and powerful, exceptionally pure micro plot cuvée which has only been produced since 2011 with only 2000 bottles. The fruit for the La Marguerite is sourced from a 5 ha vineyard with an average vine age of 10 years.

Vasse Felix, Margaret River's founding wine estate, was established by Dr Thomas Brendan Cullity in 1967. Among his first plantings were Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec vines, from which he produced the estate's first red wine. The Tom Cullity descends from these original vines and represents the pinnacle of Vasse Felix. The inaugural release will be in May 2017, coinciding with Vasse Felix's 50th Anniversary.

With plenty of blackberry, plum, mulberry and menthol-like fruit and fine, rusty, almost unyielding tannins, this is a strong, firm wine by Wendouree with plenty of lasting power. The Shiraz component derives from vineyard plots that include bush vine material. Parcels of very old vine Malbec bring further distinctiveness. The wine is vinified in open fermenters and matured for 12 months in new and used French oak.

MCHENRY HOHNEN Rolling Stone Cabernet Malbec Petit Verdot, Margaret River

VASSE FELIX Tom Cullity (Gift Boxed) Cabernet Malbec, Margaret River