James Halliday – "A classic high-quality Margaret River cabernet from an extremely good vintage, with more depth to rounded, fleshy fruit and quality oak than is usual with this wine. It's estate grown, and the vines decades old. It exudes cassis and has an excellent ripe tannin structure. 14% alc. Screwcap. Drink by: 2035"
Wine Enthusiast – ‘Deep colour. Ethereal cassis, light marzipan, vanilla with hints of violet. Fresh blackcurrant pastille, marzipan, cedar flavour and fine bittersweet/ grainy tannins. Finishes claret firm, with pure dark berry fruits and superb mineral length. Elegantly proportioned, pristine and sinuous with excellent cellaring potential. A genuine Australian First Growth highlighting the genius of vineyard site, meticulous harvesting (five separate picking times), empathetic and imaginative winemaking. 89% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc, 3% malbec, 14 months maturation in new (55%) and seasoned French oak. A classic vintage; up there with the best. Keep for a while to allow some bottle age development as you will be greatly rewarded. 13.5% alc.’ 99 points. - Andrew Caillard, The Vintage Journal.
Huon Hooke – ‘Deep, bright red-purple colour with a reserved, shy bouquet that leads into a similarly latent palate
where masses of fine tannins lie stealthily in wait. Subtle violet and blackberry traces. There is
tremendous depth and muscle to this wine but it is still a little in its shell and needs more time to open.
Masses of tannin bode well for its future in the cellar. Decanting may work if broaching it young. (89%
cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc, 3% malbec. Aged in 55% new oak for 14 months).’
98 points. Huon Hooke, The Real Review
The Wine Front – Necessity is the mother of invention. In 1993 Tim Adams was desperately short of shiraz and cabernet so his neighbour, Fergus Mahon, sold him some grenache to keep him ticking over. Hence The Fergus blend was born, and has been made ever since. This release includes tempranillo and malbec, all of which is dry-grown.
Its usual reliable self. There was a time when I wasn’t a great fan of The Fergus but we’ve moved on from there in recent years. It’s well-balanced, fleshy, not too light and not too heavy. It’s red berried with star anise, cola and gum leaf highlights. It’s a well tailored red, perfect for casual drinking.
James Halliday – Deep colour; a distinguished, full-bodied
Bordeaux blend with blackcurrant, mulberry, black olive, briar and French
oak all in play. Has the length and balance to repay extended cellaring."
Halliday Wine Companion '17
James Halliday – "Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Enter its world. There's grandness to this red that is apparent from the first sip. It has both intensity and breadth, but then it also has volume and length. Drinking it is like diving into the ocean. It tastes of cassis, dark chocolate, peppermint, violets and lightly browned toast. Tannin rolls towards the finish from a long way out; it crashes through the finish in sets. You can drink it now; there's so much action to be tucked into. But wow this has a future." - Campbell Mattinson (Halliday Wine Companion)
The Wine Front – 70/30 blend of Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. All into French oak.
Most of us would be familiar with the red wines of Tim Adams. If you’ve liked any of his reds in the past, you will enjoy this release plenty. It’s absolutely typical, in a good way. Plenty of dark berried fruit, not too complicated, not simple either. Supple but a firm frame. Feels like cabernet, complete with herbal edges, but feels ripe and generous too. Minty. Floral. Clean. In a very good place.
Wine Enthusiast – "A wine which honours the significant contribution of Dr Harold Olmo in the early stages of the new era of the
WA wine industry. It’s a blend of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and malbec. In this case it has the highest
proportion of cabernet franc ever used in the blend. Has a beautiful lift of red fruit on the nose with leafy
graphite nuances. Medium weight but with highly concentrated fruit. Rolls majestically across the palate with
fine chalky tannins and the perfect tuned oak supporting through to a long finish." - 97 points, Ray Jordan, WinePilot.com, April 2024.
World Wine – 'The best Cullity yet released. The palate is deep and powerful with controlled structure of chalky, slightly powdery fine tannins and fine-grained oak. There is a minerally almost sea spray lime character cutting through the dark fruits and chocolate richness. Compelling and just magnificent.' - 99 Points - Ray Jordan
The West Australian, 10 May 2020
James Halliday – "We go to-getherr like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong"(Grease, in case you were wondering)... like an earworm I can't eradicate (and actually, nor do I want to), these 2 have spent a long time trying to get together; unlikely bedfellows perhaps, blocked by the reliable and often uneventful merlot, but they finally find their way back. For all the hyperbole, this is a sensational wine, impossibly intense and saturated with flavour, and the volume is boosted in 2020. Decant it, because the frisky malbec needs the oxygen to calm it down. It'll live an age, though." - Erin Larkin (Halliday Wine Companion)
Originating in the Bordeaux region of France, Malbec found its most celebrated expression in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Argentina. Its adaptability and resilience to the new environment have made it a flagship variety for Argentina, overshadowing its origins to some extent.
The unique climate and altitude variations in regions like Mendoza have contributed to the grape's distinct character. Here, cool nights follow sun-drenched days, allowing Malbec to develop deep flavors while retaining a balancing acidity. Its profile typically boasts of lush dark fruits like blackberries and plums, often complemented by subtle undertones of violet and earthy notes.
The evolution of Malbec over the centuries, from its French beginnings to its Argentine mastery, narrates a fascinating story of migration, adaptation, and resurgence. Today, it stands as a testament to how terroir can reshape and redefine the identity of a grape, offering wine lovers a sip of history with every glass.
Malbec is a purple grape variety originating from France, specifically the Bordeaux region, but has found its most celebrated expressions in Argentina, especially in the Mendoza region. Once used primarily as a blending grape in Bordeaux, Malbec has come into its own as a single varietal in South America. This full-bodied red wine is recognized for its deep color and intense fruity flavors. With its velvety texture and hints of plum, black cherry, and sometimes even cocoa, Malbec offers a robust experience for red wine enthusiasts. Its transformation from a blending footnote in France to a starring role in Argentinean viniculture showcases its versatility and adaptability.
While Malbec's roots trace back to France, Argentina's Mendoza region has become synonymous with top-tier Malbec wines. Labels like Catena Zapata, Bodega Norton, and Achaval-Ferrer have consistently received international acclaim. In Cahors, France, where Malbec is locally known as "Côt", Château du Cèdre and Château Lagrézette are notable producers. These wines range from value-driven everyday bottles to luxurious high-end options, reflecting Malbec's widespread appeal and adaptability.
Though predominantly known as a red wine, Malbec's versatility allows it to be expressed in various styles. The traditional Argentine Malbec offers bold, fruit-forward flavors, while French Malbec from Cahors often leans towards more tannic and astringent profiles. There's also Malbec Rosé, a lighter, fruitier variant perfect for summer sipping. Some winemakers have ventured into sparkling Malbec, a bubbly twist on this beloved grape, proving that Malbec's expressions are as varied as the regions cultivating it.
Malbec, with its rich and robust profile, pairs beautifully with hearty dishes. Grilled or roasted meats, particularly beef or lamb, complement Malbec's bold flavors. This synergy is evident in traditional Argentinean barbecues where Malbec and grilled steaks are a classic pairing. For vegetarians, dishes with robust flavors like grilled mushrooms, lentil stews, or eggplant Parmesan can mirror Malbec's intensity. Cheeses, especially blue cheese, aged cheddar, or gouda, also make for delightful companions. Whether it's a casual meal or a gourmet feast, Malbec effortlessly enhances the dining experience.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.