Jeff Hardin acknowledging the ageing process (human not wine) said, “Tom probably had a bit more input in making this wine than I did”.
If you’ve never tried a Granite Belt Malbec then I’m sorry to inform you that you still don’t qualify for ’True Believer’ status.
Seek them out at Bungawarra Wines, Golden Grove Estate, Heritage Estate, Ballandean Estate and Robert Channon.
Jeff told me that his 2019 Malbec WIth Friends blend is currently their top selling wine. There’s no doubt the Malbec with friends is a very enjoyable wine but this 2021 straight varietal is a lovely example of the variety. It glistens it’s greatness gracefully in the glass glowing with fresh and vibrant purple and black hues, it’s actually an enjoyable experience just staring at the wine in the glass.
The bouquet is invigorated with fragrant fruit intermingled with some floral aspects. Violets waft through pomegranates, redolent black cherries and blackberries perfume the aromas and then there is a little coffee and earth.
The mouthfeel is lush, soft, rounded and smooth supported by fine gossamer like tannins that do produce just a little late palatal drying, the acid is pitched perfectly at the ripeness and freshness of the fruit, oak merely supports and the fruit weight is medium to upper medium. Ripe blackberries and black cherries lead the introduction followed by pomegranates infused in what I can only describe as ‘the taste of the smell of violets’, dark plums are moderated by mocha, there is a little black pepper, earth and minerals and a little funk are flung gently into the overall mix. This is a straight Malbec that is very approachable now, perhaps dangerously too approachable as I’m sure that anyone who purchases just one or two will have to return to Jeff’s cellar door rather hurriedly – yes I’m guilty, bought just 2 and now will be there again in a few weeks!
Just a reminder: Jeff and Tom’s Sémillon, which were really hit by the drought, will be back as a straight varietal wine in 2 to 3 years.
Tasted: Saturday 20th May, 2023 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 13.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $45
Suggested Drinking Window: now to 2030
Winemaker: Jeff Hardin and Tom Battle
Fruit Source: Estate
Oak: French
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