Known up until 2000 as Tinta Negra Molle, Tinta Molle is the principal grape variety of Portugal's island of Madiera and the mainstay of its fortified wines. A cross between Grenache and Pinot Noir created over 200 years ago, the name means black soft, its origins thought to have been mainland Spain. Its similarity to the Mollar Cano variety in Andalucia and proximity to the port of Cadiz may suggest how as ships sailed to the New World, the variety arrived in Madiera and further south to the Spanish-owned Canary Islands, where it became known as Negramoll. The 2010 Oak Works Tinta Molle has a mid-purple colour with ruby hues. Aromas of blueberry, plum and sweet spices. Matured in French oak for 18 months giving it a smoky vanilla twang. Not a fruit bomb, there are just loads of plum and cherry flavours across the palate. Smooth texturally, mid-bodied plus wine with light, rounded tannins and nice acid line. It's soft and lightly syrupy in mouthfeel but in a good way. Dry, with some fruity sweetness and tobacco smoke that follow through to the aftertaste.
Sits more towards the Grenache spectrum than Pinot Noir, it is an interesting variety that we've all probably experienced in ports before but as a rare varietal wine from the Riverland, it's worth a try.
Source: Sample. ABV: 14.5%. Closure: Cork. Price: $20.00. Rating: 90 Points.
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