Wendouree Shiraz Malbec 2015

Product Information: 

A Masterpiece from the Heart of Clare Valley - The Wendouree Shiraz Malbec 2015 is a wine that captures the essence of its exceptional origin in the Clare Valley, one of Australia's most storied wine regions. Wendouree's vineyards, planted in 1893 and grafted from the original James Busby collection, carry an unparalleled legacy in Australian winemaking. These ancient vines, nurtured by the Brady family for decades, produce wines of rare complexity and depth. The Shiraz Malbec blend is one of Wendouree's iconic offerings, celebrated for its ability to age gracefully while showcasing the richness of the vineyard’s terroir.

Crafted from carefully selected parcels of old-vine Shiraz and Malbec, this wine is produced in small batches, with only 4,500 litres made. Fermented in open-top fermenters and matured in French oak for 12 months, this wine epitomizes the legacy of Wendouree’s commitment to traditional winemaking methods. With its bold flavours, fine tannins, and powerful structure, this Shiraz Malbec is built for long-term aging and offers a glimpse into the history of Australian wine.

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, Fruit-Forward, Aromatic
Blackberry, plum, and mulberry greets the nose, intertwined with menthol and subtle earthy notes. The wine’s aromatic profile deepens with hints of dark chocolate, spice, and a touch of dried herbs.

Palate
Full-Bodied, Structured, Bold
Depth and structure, with concentrated fruit flavours of blackberry and mulberry, supported by the smooth richness of plum. The tannins are firm and almost unyielding, providing a backbone that will allow the wine to mature beautifully.

Finish
Long, Savoury, Persistent
The finish is long and enduring, with the tannins gradually softening, leaving a savoury, earthy impression. Flavours of dark fruit and a touch of spice linger, showcasing the wine’s excellent aging potential.

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz, Malbec
Country - Australia
Region - Clare Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2015
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.1%