If you are curious as to why one would be bothered growing any more than Cabernet and Shiraz then have a suck on this. Malbec is related to Cabernet as is Merlot and Cabernet Franc. They all got some genes from Sauvignon Blanc. Hence the fresh, herby green element to the flavour, the hint of capsicum and asparagus....but Malbec is least tarred with that brush. Nothing speaks to me more of orchard fresh plums, somewhat tart, a little on the green  side. Reminds me of small boys, stolen fruit, early summer, over the fence and quickly away.

Seriously, Malbec is a very interesting variety with a distinctive flavour profile that is a useful addition to ones armory. The Bordelaise call it 'Cot'. I well remember the early Malbecs that were made by Jack Mann of Houghtons. They were sold as Strelley Claret. My enthusiasm for the variety was also excited by wines made at Alkoomi in Frankland by Merv Lange. We too are impressed with Malbec, so much so that we have expanded the plantings in that part of the Three Hills property we called 'Ophir'. It is high country, gets every wind there is, so we need the trees to grow to shelter the vines. The soil is deep quartz and feldspathic grit. These are plateau soils, water worked under some ancient sea and the establishment is almost heartbreakingly slow. Ophir is the place where we endeavour to commercialise the early experimental work in planting so many varieties. There is Viognier, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Grenache, Pinot Noir and Petit Verdot slowly coming into production. Each year there are more vines reaching the wire, there is more foliage and better protection from the wind. Ophir was the place King Solomon got his exotic imports from...silver, gold, apes, ivory, and peacocks. We have similar expectations.

Current Vintage 2002