Malbec is a black-skinned grape variety native to south-western France (specifically the area around Cahors), but now better known as the iconic wine grape of Argentina. Through its success in the vineyards of Mendoza, in a few short decades Malbec has shot from obscurity to international fame, simultaneously bringing new-found attention and respect to Argentina as a wine-producing nation.
Malbec typically ripens midway through the growing season and produces small, intensely coloured grapes. As it is so sensitive to its growing environment, the level of ripeness has a considerable effect on the structure of the eventual wine. French Malbec tends to be more meaty, rustic and tannic, while examples from Argentina seem to be uniformly rich, ripe, jammy and juicy. Malbec wines are generally aged in oak to enhance the wine’s structure and aging potential.
In France, Malbec is the grape of Cahors. It must constitute a minimum of 70 percent of any AOC Cahors wine, accompanied by rich, round Merlot and rustic, tannic Tannat. It is also a common ingredient in red wines from Bordeaux, as a constituent of the classic Bordeaux blend. In both of these regions the variety has traditionally gone by its local name, Cot, but due to the success of Malbec in Argentina, it is increasingly known by this more internationally recognized name.
In the higher, drier climes of South America, Malbec has really come into its own. Argentinian Malbec vines produce a wide range of wine styles. At lower altitudes, the variety's skins tend to be thinner, and the fruit soft and supple – ideal for rosés. Further up, on the lower slopes of the Andes Mountains, the variety develops a thicker skin and a deeper concentration of flavour. Wines from these altitudes (particularly above 3000ft/1000m) are more aromatic and have intense, vibrant colouring, and rank among the most respected of all South American wines.
Malbec forms part of the Meritage blend in the United States and in Australia and New Zealand, it is frequently blended with the softer, less tannic Merlot, to produce bright, fruit-driven wines against a backbone of oak. Plums and violets are common flavour descriptors.
James Suckling – A medium-bodied red with firm tannins and a fresh and clean finish. Really intense and flavorful. Lovely balance and finesse. One of the best deals out there.
James Halliday – Bleasdale can't put a foot wrong with malbec at whatever price point it chooses. This is flooded with plum varietal fruit, but also has the texture and back-palate structure that many malbecs miss out on. Winemaker Paul Hotker is a wiz. - James Halliday
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
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 Suckling – Very deep and dark with enormous concentration but also a lot of finesse. There’s some toast and chocolate from oak, as well as great freshness. Stunning harmony and a very long finish that tells a totally fascinating story. A blend of 73% cabernet sauvignon and 27% malbec. Drink in 2020.
Decanter – Made with the fruit from three vineyards: La Pirámide in Agrelo, Adrianna in Gualtallary, and Nicasia in Altamira. It has a ripe nose of black cherry and dark chocolate, with fine-grained tannins on a mineral-drenched mid-palate and notes of cocoa nib and violets. An elegant finish. Drinking Window 2021 - 2035
TA94Tim Atkin
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – Named after the winery's owner, the 2014 Nicolas Catena Zapata is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec that has been produced since 1997. They use grapes from Nicasia, Adrianna and La Piramide vineyards, mixing grapes from Valle de Uco and Lujan de Cuyo. The blend varies slightly with the year, and in 2014 it is 73% Cabernet and 27% Malbec. It fermented in 225- and 500-liter oak barrels and saw 24 months in barrique. It has developed aromas and feels polished while showing elegance and very classical proportions.
James Halliday – From 3 estate blocks and 1 specialist Langhorne Creek grower. 20% whole berries. Ferment finished in tank then racked to French oak puncheons (10% new) and matured for 12 months. Next-level malbec here, with all its varietal expectations fulfilled. Vibrant purple colour, violets and blue/black fruits, a whiff of iodine and a faint sense of Dutch licorice, without its bitterness. All of it swells on the palate, the tannins settling in underneath, fitting neatly with the flow of the wine. Many years ahead of it – decant for now.
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.
James Halliday – Sourced from the estate’s Isolation Ridge vineyard. A cabernet franc-led blend and showing it, via vibrant redder cherry and mulberry-like aromas, concentrated by sympatico oak. It all comes into focus on the palate; intense yet lifted, energetic and mineral. Even tannins add to an impressive complexity and lingering finish.
Tony Love
Published 13 August 2021
The Wine Front – Fine balance, all that lightness with density stuff going on here. I’m thinking the flavours are dark mint chocolate, blueberry and assorted red and black berries, baking spices too. Lovely gravelly tannin, cool settled acidity, bay leaf and floral perfume, and a long insistently, but gently tannic finish. Spot on.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – Robert Parker - The 2013 La Muse, like all of the 2013s, comes about one-third from Alexander Valley vineyards, 40-plus percent from Chalk Hill, and the rest Knights Valley and Bennett Valley – all high-elevation hillside vineyards. A blend of 89% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec at 14.3% alcohol, the wine is amazingly like a great vintage of Petrus, with mulberry, black cherry, licorice, truffle and unctuous, thick, juicy fruit all present in this full-bodied masterpiece. The tannins are still present. The wine has purity and savory presence and is remarkable. The finish goes on for well past a minute. This wine would probably benefit from 5-8 years of bottle age and last 40-50 years.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – Composed of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec, the 2015 La Muse sports a very deep garnet-purple color, leaping from the glass with exuberant crème de cassis, blueberry pie and licorice notes plus suggestions of Indian spices, dark chocolate, menthol, sautéed herbs and potpourri. Full-bodied, rich and seductive in the mouth, it delivers tons of black and blue fruit preserves flavors, accented by exotic spices, framed with velvety tannins and finishing on a persistent earthy/mineral note. 3,900 cases were made.
World Wine – Vinous - The 2017 Latour-Martillac is a dark, powerful wine with a ton of Cabernet Sauvignon savoriness, depth and structure. Black cherry, graphite, spice, leather, lavender and menthol infuse the 2017 with striking character and power. The 2017 is a serious, at times stubborn, wine that needs time to soften. Even in the early going, though, it is impressive. (AG)
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – Robert Parker - A blend of 64% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Malbec, the very deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Le Désir is a little reticent at this very youthful stage, offering glimpses at dusty soil, iron ore, black truffles and salami notes over a core of red currant jelly, black raspberries, blackberries and star anise plus a waft of roses. Medium-bodied, very firm and very elegant yet incredibly intense in the mouth, it delivers loads of red fruit and earthy layers, finishing with great length and depth. 2,500 cases produced.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – Robert Parker - The 2013 Le Desir represents 2,500 cases. This is the softest of the three wines in 2013, and this blend of 61% Cabernet Franc, 23% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec emerges with more than half of the cuvee coming from Hillsides in Alexander Valley, 37% from Chalk Hill and the rest tiny dollops from Bennett Valley and Knights Valley. Opaque purple, like its siblings, the wine is showing incredible floral, blueberry and espresso notes, exotic Asian spices, velvety texture, a supple, multilayered mouthfeel and incredible finish, with incense and licorice. This is magnificent young wine, with a good 40-50 years of upside potential. Pierre Seillan is justifiably proud of what he has achieved, and his first vintage of Verite was only 1998, but they go from strength to strength.
James Suckling – This is the greatest Cheval des Andes ever. Discrete aromas of blackberries, flowers, stone and licorice. So perfumed. The integration of fruit, tannins and acidity is fantastic. Full-bodied, tight and solid with beautiful depth and integrity. Extremely long and exciting. Complex and compelling with such refinement and length. A blend of 62% malbec and 38% cabernet sauvignon. Available in September 2020. Better after 2024.
James Suckling – Super refined and beautiful with flowers, spices, dried fruit and hints of stones. Medium to full body with very fine tannins and a gorgeous finish. Shows great finesse and depth. Savory character, as always, but in check. Drink in 2022.
James Suckling – Super refined and beautiful with flowers, spices, dried fruit and hints of stones. Medium to full body with very fine tannins and a gorgeous finish. Shows great finesse and depth. Savory character, as always, but in check. Drink in 2022.
All wines over $25 per bottle will be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock, 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 5-10 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.
All wines over $25 per bottle will be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock, 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 5-10 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.
Italy
Spain
Germany
Austria
Portugal
Greece