WITH TONY LOVE
It was World Malbec Day recently – you may have missed it, unless you’re one of those more engaged drinkers targeted by wine marketing bots or whoever generates such global indulgences.
In Australia, Malbec is a lesser known red in solo acts, though much appreciated in blends with cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. Of many regions across the country with malbec in the ground, Langhorne Creek and Clare Valley lead the way in South Australia, while in Western Australia, Margaret River, Swan Valley and Frankland River are going strong. In Tasmania, Bob and Rita Richter from Grey Sands in the Tamar Valley have just released their first malb malbec varietal, the Grey Sands 2015 Malbec ($40), after having emp employed their grapes for many yea years in a Bordeaux-style red b blend they call The Mattock. B Bob and Rita are huge fans and believe their part of Tasmania suits i it extremely well.
In Langhorne Creek, B Bleasdale has a range o of malbecs from its smartv value Second Innings ($20) t to more elite Double Take ($65), and now a set of single-vineyard variations. You can buy them in a malbec sixpack from the bleasdale.com.au online cellar door.
The continuation with this fascinating project of three single-vineyard malbecs suggests Bleasdale winemaker Paul Hotker has great faith in the grape.
Single-vineyard stylings are more common with chardonnay, pinot noir and shiraz from expert producers in varietally key regions, so Bleasdale, malbec and Langhorne Creek make a lot of sense in joining such company.
The three offerings, each $35, are nuanced expressions that essentially reflect their different vineyard sites.
The Bleasdale 2016 The Ripararian Vineyard Malbec shows an earthy, cigar/tobacco leafy-like sense that’s not uncommon in the variety, and here a faint regional mint backdrop too, before unveiling a full-bodied, meaty, yet gently rounded tannin-touched core. re.
The Bleasdale The Mullianna nna Vineyard 2016 Malbec is juicier cier and has a distinctive crushed d cumin/coriander seed sense e that fits with its fine, sandy tannin dusting.
The final variation, an outsider from Kangaroo Island’s The Islander Estate Vineyard, has an iron and ink character, full-bodied and muscular. Paul chose to include it to compare how KI’s very cool terroir impacts the grape. Take note, Tasmania.
While we’re in the zone, take a look also at the Heartland 2016 First Release e Malbec ($50) from Langhorne Creek, a cracker also with that mint backdrop to begin, then dark and fleshy berry and plum fruits, and superb oak integration.