Malbec is a variety that has long been associated with Langhorne Creek in Australia and also some vineyards in The Clare Valley but if you do enjoy the variety and you haven’t yet explored Granite Belt Malbec then you have been neglecting your tastebuds. There are some very good local Malbec growers and Summit Estate is one of them. Malbec is a big grape and something to get excited about on The Granite Belt, this one is a 60% (Cabernet Sauvignon)/40% (Malbec) blend.
The cabernet, due to fruit shortage, was sourced elsewhere.
Glowing dark rubies reflect brilliant colour spectrums from the glass with a radiant dark cherry meniscus – young, vibrant and expressive. A very eloquent yet demonstrative bouquet floats and flitters fragrant cassis and black berries, plums and spices, earth and minerals, tobacco and cigar box and a waft of violets.
An enticing young palate, beautifully balanced begins with the cabernet cassis and just a little black berry, the mid palate is lifted with black cherries and cocoa, a little somewhat reticent milk chocolate, and later some leather and rolled tobacco lengthens the experience. Pepper and cloves are a little shy, the acid is fresh and energises the young fruit with vigour and the tannins are fine and chalky as they carry some minerals, earth and salt across a lovely long drying finale.
Although the wine is 60% Cabernet and that Cabernet certainly expresses the genuine excitement factor in this blend emanates from the Malbec which adds complexity to the flavours and textures of the blend. The overall experience is an elegant wine with, nevertheless significant weight, flavour, mouthfeel and length. A masterful resolution of individual characters in the wine so that they present as a unified young team which has a championship in it’s destiny but. as always you’re the referee I’m merely a touch judge.
Tasted: Saturday 23rd July, 2022 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 12.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $40
Suggested Drinking Window: Now to 2032
Wine Maker: Abraham de Klerk
Fruit Source: Malbec – Estate; Cabernet – Outside the GI, possibly Chalmers
Oak: French
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