"This is consistently the best Wendouree wine for me, and perhaps the most distinctive. People flock to the Shiraz, though I’m not sure why that is, at risk of repeating myself. This is 32% Malbec and comes from 1975 Central, 1920 Eastern, and 1989 Western vineyards.
Exemplary release here. It’s dense and chewy, but light on its feet. The churn of graphite tannin is something to behold. Some rose and musk perfume, plum, red and black fruits, a little mint adds to the general fragrance and charm. Ferrous feel, clean acidity tinkles like spring rain on a window, and there’s flavour and fruit sweetness, yet not too much. It’s all just so. The finish pulses with energy and tannin. Well, OK then."
97 points, Gary Walsh, July 2018.
A 68/32% blend from the 1975 Central, 1920 Eastern and 1989 Western Vineyards. While the weight of the wine is still within the medium-bodied framework all four wines enjoy, the aromas and flavours are wonderfully juicy. For close on a century, the symbolic link between cabernet and malbec expresses itself in unique fashion in this God-given secluded corner of the Clare Valley.
96 points, Wine Companion (April 2019)
The Clare Valley
The Clare Valley is located two hours north of Adelaide in the Mount Lofty ranges. The region was settled by John Horrocks who encouraged his servant James Green to plant the first vines in 1842. Climate in the Clare Valley is continental with hot summers, cold winters and low rainfall that necessitates supplementary irrigation. Soils in the valley are predominantly red brown loams over shale, permitting excellent drainage. Many of the best vineyards are located at higher elevations of 400-500m on sites that take advantage of the cool breezes that funnel up the corrugation of hills from the south. The Clare Valley is renowned for its zesty fruit-pure Rieslings particularly from the sub-regions of Polish Hill and Watervale. The region also produces intense age-worthy sturdy reds from Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
