Wendouree Cabernet Malbec 2015

Product Information:

A Tribute to an Exceptional Estate - Wendouree is one of the most revered names in Australian wine, with a reputation that has been carefully nurtured since the first vines were planted by the Birks family in 1892. The estate, tucked away in the heart of Clare Valley, is steeped in history and tradition, and its wines are celebrated for their deep connection to the land and meticulous craftsmanship. Wendouree wines are rare, sought after, and highly respected—wines you’ll buy without tasting, knowing they are bound to exceed expectations.

The Wendouree Cabernet Malbec 2015 is a true reflection of the estate's unique terroir and the dedication of the current custodians, Tony and Lita Brady. This wine combines the power of Cabernet Sauvignon with the vibrant complexity of Malbec, producing a blend that has become legendary in Australian winemaking. The wine is crafted from the estate's historic vineyards—some of which date back to 1975 (Central), 1920 (Eastern), and 1989 (Western)—with plantings from some of the oldest vines in the region. The result is a wine that is as rare as it is exceptional.

Maker:

The Wendouree, crafted by Tony and Lita Brady, remains a true representation of its origins since the vines were first planted by Alfred Percy Birks in 1893. Considered by many as one of Australia's greatest Shirazes, this wine is made from low-yielding, beautifully formed old vines, many of which are from the original plantings. The vineyard is managed with low-input viticulture and the winemaking process is laissez-faire, allowing the wine to truly speak of its place. Wendouree wines are renowned for their exceptional quality and rich heritage, with the celebrated Wendouree Shiraz standing out as a true gem. This wine is derived from the estate's original 1893 plantings, believed to be genetic material from the original James Busby collection. Located on an easterly ridge towards the northern edge of the Clare Valley, the unirrigated Wendouree vineyards have shallow, meagre soils with red loam over limestone. The low-yielding old shiraz vines produce small berries with thick skins and a high seed content, resulting in a wine with exceptional depth and complexity. Despite its reputation and heritage, there are remarkably few older bottles of Wendouree wines in circulation. This can be attributed to the way the wines were sold until 1974, when they were sold in bulk and bottled and marketed by merchants, resulting in blended and single varietal shiraz wines being almost never seen. Wendouree wines are a testament to the quality of the vineyards and the winemakers' dedication to crafting exceptional wines. The Wendouree Shiraz, in particular, showcases the unique terroir of the Clare Valley and the heritage of the original James Busby collection, making it a true standout among Australian wines.

The Clare Valley wine region is located in South Australia and is known for producing exceptional Riesling wines, as well as other varietals such as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Chardonnay. The region's vineyards are planted on shallow, meagre soils with red loam over limestone, contributing to the unique terroir of the wines. The climate is warm to hot in summers and cool in winters. The region is divided into five districts, each producing distinct wine styles. The Clare Valley has won countless international awards and is a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts.

Vineyard:

The vineyard itself is the dominating factor in the quality of the wines. Established in 1892, some of the vines are now well over 100 years old. In one block, a plot of bush-trained Shiraz dates from 1892 and another from 1893, while a parcel of trellised Mataro (Mourvèdre) has been grafted onto vines dating from 1898. Further from the winery, in what is known as the eastern block, there’s more Shiraz planted in 1919 and 1920 and some Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec grafted over onto 1920s rootstock. The most recent plantings date from 1975 and the early 1980s. In all, there are 12 Ha of vines, a historical look into the Clare Valley viticultural past.

The vineyards are unirrigated and planted on mainly red loam over limestone. There’s also a block on shale and a parcel that has sandier loam. The elevation is at 450–530m at the eastern block but despite this, the harvest for reds is typically two weeks earlier at Wendouree than elsewhere in the Clare Valley. Yields turn around just less than 30hl/ha.

The grapes are hand-harvested, basket pressed and fermentation takes place in open-top fermenters with hand plunging of the grape cap. The malolactic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. The wines are then aged in 300-litre fine-grain French oak barrels, 25% new, for a year. It's an old school approach meaning that the only concessions to the modern age, is an area small laboratory for analysis, stainless steel to line the fermenters and in tanks for blending, and a tiny bottling line. Blending is carried out after the barrel aging and the wines are bottled with just a light filter.

Tasting Notes

Nose
Complex, Intense, Inviting
Dark berries, leather, and subtle earthy undertones. Layers of cassis, blackcurrant, and plum emerge, accented by hints of tobacco, spice, and cedar. Aromatic depth, reflecting the age and maturity of these old vines.

Palate
Full-Bodied, Rich, Structured
Rich dark fruit flavours of black cherry, blackberry, and plum are balanced by the distinctive, peppery spice of Malbec and the full, structured tannins of Cabernet. Velvety mouthfeel and hints of chocolate, earthy minerality, and subtle oak.

Finish
Long, Elegant, Refined
Exceptionally long and refined, with lingering notes of dark fruit, oak, and a touch of tobacco. The wine's tannins are firm but well-integrated, ensuring this wine will evolve gracefully in the cellar for years to come.

Medium bodied, thick and tannic, but kind of supple and delicious too, with a rose oil mouth-perfume, and then, a fair bit of Cabernet lash and strictness through the finish. And just when you thought you’d escaped unscathed, whoosh, whoop, crack – you’ve been tamed. Wonderful Wendouree. - 95 points Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Cabernet Malbec
Country - Australia
Region - Clare Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2015
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14%