2010 Hahndorf Hill Winery Blueblood Blaufrankisch

Hahndorf Hill is one of those Australian wineries doing remarkable things with alternative varieties, in particular pioneering those with an Austrian bent. One of such is Blaufrankisch (Blue Frankish) or Lemberger as it is known in Germany.

Blaufrankisch is a dark-skinned variety that has its stronghold today in the large wine-producing region of Burgenland in Austria's east and is that country's second most important red grape. Significant evidence exists that its origins were in fact present day Slovenia, once under the Austro-Hngarian Empire. 

In the glass it's a deep blue to purple coloured wine as you would expect with a name like Blueblood.

Offers attractive blueberry, blackberry, black cherry and earthy spice aromas. Some liquorice nuances add more complexity.



Translates to a palate that is all intense, spicy and juicy fruited. Black fleshy fruits and white pepper with some sweet oak. Smoothly textured, medium-bodied with soft dry tannins and finishes with an herbal edge. 

This is an elegant and seriously drinkable wine that will happily develop with age. Recommended.

Source: Winery Sample. Alcohol: 14.0%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $40.00. Rating: 92+ Points.

Website: http://www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au/

2010 Currency Creek Estate The Viaduct Roussanne Viognier

An unusual blend of two of the three Rhone Ranger whites. Normally, it's either a Marsanne Roussanne, Marsanne Viognier combination or a MRV ménage à trois but you rarely see these two partners saddling up together.

Currency Creek Estate is located on the eastern part of South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, just south of Langhorne Creek. It belongs to the Currency Creek Geographical Indication (GI) Region, a status awarded in 1969. The Viaduct name pays tribute it seems to an old railway viaduct on the property that was officially unrecognised. 

A fairly simple wine, light on, nothing too complex or cerebral here. Pale straw yellow in the glass. Muted aromatics of herbal tea, citrus blossom and honey with a subtle hint of apricot fanning out to the palate. 
Herbal honey and apricot notes linger for a while on the mid-palate then do a disappearing act at the end like fair weather friends. 
I tried to find things to like about this blend but to no avail. 
Pleasant enough effort but it failed to challenge or impress. 

Source: Retail Purchase. Alcohol: 12.5%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $12.00. Rating: 82 Points.
Website: http://www.currencycreekwinery.com.au/index.php

2010 Kangarilla Road 'Terzetto'

One of the things I admire about Kangarilla Road, apart from their quality great value wines is the image of the vine leaf on their front labels. Unique and quite stunning. There are three on this bottle, one for each of the varieties contained within.   

A ménage à trois of Italian varieties from the McLaren Vale blending the big three reds Sangiovese (45%), Primitivo (35%) and Nebbiolo (20%). The term terzetto is a reference to all things three in Italian, but primarily to literature and music and there is much to write and sing about this quirky first release from Kevin and Helen O'Brien's winery.

Kangarilla Road has been around since the mid-1970's but the O'Briens have stamped - or is that stomped -  their imprimatur since 1997 with an impressive portfolio of Italian varietals produced in organic and biodynamic vineyards from sustainable viticultural techniques.   

The Terzetto was aged in a combination of older French and American oak for 14 months prior to release with silver medal success at the 2012 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show in the Other Red - Italian Varieties and Blends category. 

Translucent ruby red colours. Lifted aromas of fresh roses, savoury plum, chocolate, vanillin with hints of tobacco smoke are intense and a mouth-watering preamble to the main act. A beautifully balanced sum of its impressive varietal parts, the Terzetto delivers a medium-bodied, texturally very smooth wine to the drinker. Spicy cherry and plum fruit flavours dominate the palate supported by dry, mouth-puckering tannins across the tongue. Nuances of cinnamon, earth and tar here as well. Long close of spicy black cherry. Rich, juicy and deliciously easy on the synapses. Hopefully we get to wax lyrical in future editions. Recommended.

Source: Winery Sample. Alcohol: 14.0%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $22.00. Rating: 90 Points. Website: http://www.kangarillaroad.com.au/

2012 Torzi Matthews Vigna Cantina Negro Amaro

Indigenous solely to the southern Italian region of Puglia and particularly to its south-eastern Salento peninsula, Negro Amaro is a dark-skinned grape noted for producing robust and appealing rustic wines best known in DOC Salice Salentino and Copertino wines. Not unlike Aglianico, it is an ancient variety with an interesting history dating back to a wine believed to have been brought to Puglia by Illyrian settlers prior to the Greek colonisation there in the 7th century BC. 

When the Roman Empire went belly up, winemaking followed suit leaving Benedictine and Greek Orthodox monks in the Puglia region to keep the Negro Amaro grape alive and thriving.     

There is a belief that the meaning of Negro Amaro is derived from its modern day translation of black bitter. Whatever its etymology, it would appear that the confluence of Latin (negro) and Greek (maru) cultural empires was more instrumental in reference to the grape's colour black black rather than to the contemporary translation. 


This is the third vintage from the Torzi Matthews' vineyards in Barossa Valley's Koonunga Dunes sub-region. Only a handful of wineries are at present producing Negro Amaro wines, a fact that should change given the variety's suitability in viticultural terms to warmer regions.      

Negro Amaro Grapes

Dense purple, almost black in the glass. Darth Vader black. Light is sucked in and disappears. A lifted nose of sour black cherry, black plum and violet aromas. Light to medium bodied. There are fresh spicy cherry, liquorice and white pepper flavours across the palate. Smooth texturally with bitter, dark, silky tannins. Little oak to speak of. Young and tight from the outset - perhaps because the vines are five years old - it needed to calm, which it did the second evening like the Aglianico. A persistent finish of spicy cinnamon and earthy notes. As the vines age, it'll be interesting to sample future vintages. A good wine.

Source: Winery Sample. Alcohol: 13.9%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $22.00. Rating: 87+ Points.
Website: http://www.torzimatthews.com.au/home/

2009 Westend Estate Calabria Private Bin Aglianico

Aglianico is an underrated red grape variety that has flown under the radar somewhat in Australia. With Sangiovese and Tempranillo increasing in popularity, production and market share, heat and drought tolerant varieties such as Aglianico should have an important role to play in the consideration of our future wine production. As global warming thunders down on the planet, its ability to produce deeply coloured, aromatic wines with high acid levels makes Aglianico an ideal variety to cultivate in dry, warm regions such as the Riverland. 

  

Referred to as the "Barolo of the South" because of certain similarities to the famous Nebbiolo of Piemonte, it is more the stature in its southern indigenous regions of Campania and Basilicata that has made this such a rich and elegant variety. The signature wines that come from the grape are Campania's D.O.C.G Taurasi - from the Irpinia region - and Bsilicata's D.O.C. Aglianico del Vulture, grown on the high volcanic soils of Mount Vulture.   

Aglianico's ancient origins take it back to cultivation in Roman times from a variety thought to have been introduced centuries earlier by Greek colonisers, researchers thinking that its age to be around 2800 years old! Gives a different perspective to the saying as old as the hills, doesn't it ? The grape's name is also thought to be a corruption of the Vitis Hellenica, the Italian for Greek vine, which lasted until the 15th century when its present name took effect.   

After winning the Best Red Wine trophy at the 2010 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show with the varietal 2008 Calabria Aglianico, the judges in their wisdom created a new red wine class/category for the Aglianico variety starting the following year. Westend Estate was one of the first to plant the variety in Australia in 2005 according to Chief Winemaker Bryan Currie and has since then become its largest grower here and indeed in the world outside of Italy with 12 hectares under vine. There are some plantings across California, notably the Alexander Valley and Paso Robles but small comparatively.

The Calabria Aglianico is deep ruby in colour. An intriguing and heady mix on the nose of sour cherry, raspberry, black pepper and dark chocolate with funky smokey notes, which are really attractive. Subtle hints of lavender and mint leaf too. Quite minerallly on the palate with dry cocoa powder tannins. A tart savoury acid grip keeps the rich fruit flavours across the mid-palate, balanced. There is a silky textured mouthfeel at the back end but with that earthy quality common to some European varieties. A long, satisfying and savoury finish. Medium to full bodied and complex, this wine is all about fire and brimstone yet at the same time there is seductive elegance about it. 

It tasted better the second night where more bold plum, strawberry, dark liquorice and tar notes came to the fore. I loved this wine, there's plenty to suggest it will age beautifully for another five years at least. For its quality at this price point, it is highly recommended.  

Source: Winery Sample. Alcohol: 14.0%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $14.95. Rating: 93+ Points.
Website: http://www.westendestate.com.au/index.php

2012 Hahndorf Hill Winery Adelaide Hills Rosé

Produced at the boutique Hahndorf Hill Winery from the red Germanic grape varieties Trollinger and Blaufrankisch, this unique blend rose has started to attract serious recognition. Australian-made rose wines are fashioned nowadays from a variety of red grapes, including these two rare ones produced only at the winery's biodynamically-run vineyards in the Adelaide Hills Region over the last couple of decades. Kudos to Larry Jacobs, Marc Dobson and their team for embracing the alternative varieties bandwagon. 

Trollinger (also known as Black Hamburg amongst other synonyms) is a red grape thought to have originated in the South Tyrol and Trentino-Alto Adige wine regions and today is grown exclusively in southwestern Germany. Blaufrankisch, known as Lemberger in Germany, translates as 'blue Frankish' perhaps an indication of its noble origins, today rates as the second most important red grape in Austria. Recent DNA evidence has shown that Blaufrankisch is a cross between Gouais Blanc and an unknown Frankish variety rather than a clone of Gamey                                                                  as it was originally thought to have been.  

I've banged on about the rose 'revolution' for some time now and this example is a beauty. Stunning watermelon juice pink in colour, almost pink orange. Quite distinctive. Fresh, minerally, orange rind and red cherry aromas is what you would expect on the nose. There is some front palate sweetness to its medium to light body and then it s crisp, dry and savoury to the finish where soft strawberry and sour cherry flavours linger. A lovely, smooth textural mouthfeel. If this is an indication of the 2012 vintage, watch out for future ones.

Source: Winery Sample. Alcohol: 12.0%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $22.00. Rating: 91 Points.
Website: http://www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au/

2011 Iron Pot Bay Wines Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon

Established in 1988, Iron Pot Bay is located on the western side of the beautiful Tamar River at Devoit, northern Tasmania. It is the only vineyard that grows Semillon commercially in Tasmania. The 0.16 of a hectare planting is used as a blending partner with Sauvignon Blanc, making the final product unique to the Tamar Valley Region and to the island itself. 

Semillon is better known in warmer regions such as the Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley and Margaret River but its proximity to the river lessens the risk of frost and has some effect on heat summation, generally helping the grapes to ripen well. With considerable plantings of Sauvignon Blanc in Tasmania, the blend offers punters something different and distinctive. 

This wine is vinified by Jeremy Dineen, Chief Winemaker at Josef Chromy Wines since 2006 and whose impressive track record has seen him complete vintages at Margaret River, McLaren Vale, Victoria's Goulburn Valley and southern Tasmania over many years. 

Pale straw in appearance. There are subtle lifted notes of lime and passionfruit but it's green capsicum aromas that dominate. More on the herbal or vegetal side than fruit-driven style. The palate is fairly one dimensional with green capsicum, green beans and lemongrass at the front end supported by a fine flinty minerality and refreshing vibrant acidity across the tongue. I like that the Semillon has given the Sauvignon Blanc a softer dimension while not cancelling out its individuality given that some Sauvignon Blancs from down south can be quite pungent and acidic. Overall, nicely textured, good mouth feel with a crisp, lively finish. A wine for early consumption rather than cellaring. Worth trying as something out of the ordinary from Tasmania.

Source: Retail Purchase. Alcohol: 12.4%. Closure: Screwcap. Rating: 89+ Points. 

Website: http://www.ironpotbay.com.au/index.html

2008 d'Arenberg The Sticks & Stones Tempranillo Shiraz Tinta Cao Souzao

A quixotic blend from d'Arenberg's avant-garde genius Chester Osborn. Predominantly an Iberian-inspired blend from McLaren Vale grapes, the Spanish Tempranillo provides the bulk (47%) with parcels of the black Portuguese varieties Tinta Cao (15%) and Souzao (15%) with Shiraz (23%) completing the quartet. In previous vintages, Grenache was utilised in lieu of the Shiraz but it changes quite a bit depending on the year, according to the ebullient Osborn.  

Both the Tinta Cao and Souzao are prized grapes used in the production of Port wine and are native to Portugal's Douro Valley Region. The d'Arenberg Winery celebrates its centenary this year and if these varieties were around as long may have formed the basis of port wine, Australia's preferred 'tipple' of yesteryear. There are 0.6 hectares of each variety since they were introduced in 1999 with the first Sticks & Stones released in 2002. What these rare varieties bring to the table are pungent aromatics and a complex mix of red and dark fruit flavours and according to the winery, have a greater influence upon the blend                                                                    than their relative percentages would suggest.  

The wine's drawn-out name relates to vine sticks grown in stoney ground but probably more to the point is the quirky reference to the proverb from our youth. Some reviews have questioned the inclusion of the two Portuguese varieties but to paraphrase a famous quote, seeing things as they are and asking why and dreaming of things that never were and saying why not, may go to explain Osborn's thinking behind their presence in this complex, brooding blend. This is one of the things that is so admirable about our winemakers, the preparedness to push the envelope.   

A profound red-purple colour, almost inky in the glass. Mouth-watering aromatics of dark chocolate, fresh violets, dark berries and tea leaves. Medium to full bodied, there is a wonderful amalgam of plum and red current fruit flavours, sour cherry, licorice and star anise spice that give the palate an intense yet seamless and voluptuous texture. A good amount of earthy or rustic notes and soft leather. Secondary flavours of dried herbs and vanilla oak. Powdery tannins add to the overall complexity. There is spicy acidity through to the finish, which although lingering was too hot at the back end. A lot to like nonetheless about this rich and generous blend that kicks like a port. A wine to match a carnivorous feast ! 

Source: Retail Purchase. Alcohol: 14.2%. Closure: Screwcap. Rating: 90+ Points. 
Website: http://www.darenberg.com.au/

2011 Boat O'Craigo Black Spur Gewürztraminer

The history of the Gewürztraminer variety is in a word, complicated. There are many synonyms recorded including Traminer, a white grape family subjected to clonal mutations since the Romans brought an ancient Greek vine to the Alto Adige region in Italy's north and specifically to around the village of Tramin (Termeno) where it is thought the name originated. It appears that Traminer vines were planted in these Tyrolean foothills at the time Leif (Erik The Red) Ericson set foot on Vinland, the Norse name for an area of the North America continent where wild grape vines were indeed discovered.  

As with other varieties Traminer evolved on its genetic and geographical journeys into an aromatic variety. North to Germany's Pfalz region by the Middle Ages, it acquired the prefixes Gewürz, meaning 'spiced' or Roter meaning 'red/crimson' a reference to the colour. By the late 1800's vines were imported from across the Rhine to Alsace where today, the best examples of its wines are generally produced. The French have used the term musque whilst the Italians aromatico to describe the grape's metamorphosis, a situation that is given further intrigue with the belief of a relationshop between the various Traminers and the white Savagnin grape from the French Jura Region.  

The Traminer synonym has been used interchangeably in Australia depending upon growing region and/or winemaker preferences but unfortunately has suffered from public perception that it makes a sweet wine style. Often blended with Riesling, the variety is grown in all of Australia's states but is still generally considered an alternative variety. 

A boutique wine producer from the Yarra Valley, Boat O'Craigo takes it name from an ancestral settlement alongside the North Esk River in Craigo, Scotland. The Gewürztraminer vines as with the winery's other whites are grown at the Black Spur vineyard at Healesville in the Valley's higher and cooler north-eastern region. The variety is a rare beast in these parts known more for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines. This vintage is the winery's third release after vines were first planted in 2006.

  

Gewürztraminer Grapes

A pale quartz-green in the glass, the aromatics are more of a fruit shop than a perfumed boudoir. It smells of ginger, jasmine, lychee and fresh citrus. A slight scent of musk. The light to medium palate lacks that pungency and power, that varietal character of perfumed rose petals, musk,Turkish Delight and lychees Gewürztraminer is known for. There are some stone fruit flavours, lime and spicy lychee notes and a talc-like minerality to the texture but not much more. Crisp, fresh and balanced. It could have been a Riesling in a blind tasting. Appealing and drinkable but somewhat disappointing overall.   




Source: Winery Purchase. Alcohol: 11.5%. Closure: Screwcap. Rating: 87 Points.
Website: http://www.boatocraigo.com.au/

2005 Ballandean Estate Wines Late Harvest Sylvaner

The term 'liquid gold' is bandied about these days to describe anything from oil to beer to breast milk and is a reference invariably to a liquid's exceptional quality and perhaps to its outstanding colour. The 2005 Late Harvest Sylvaner from the Ballandean Estate winery in Queensland's Granite Belt Region, ticks both boxes. 

The winery has had a pivotal role in helping pioneer the region's and indeed Queensland's wine industry since the late 1960's. The quality of their range of wines is unquestioned with the rare, multiple award-winning Late Harvest Sylvaner the specialty wine. It is documented as Australia's original cordon-cut style that has been produced by the Puglisi family on an infrequent basis for over twenty five years and according to public demand. Acclaimed UK Wine Journalist and author of The Wines Of Alsace (1993) Tom Stevenson, has described it as "the best Sylvaner I have ever tasted, the best of its style in the world". 

Sylvaner is not something that comes up in the same breath as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc would for instance, perceived rather as producing less than compelling wines by those in the know. An ugly duckling sort of variety with high acid levels that is made for early consumption, it seems to have fallen victim to increased plantings of more mainstream varieties such as Riesling and Pinot Gris in Alsace, France for example where it used to have a strong foothold. 

A cross between Traminer and the now rarely cultivated Hunnic variety Austrian Wine, its origins are unclear but thought to be either Austria itself or Transylvania in modern day Romania as evidenced by its name. It seems that wines were cultivated in Count Dracula's backyard since the 7th century BC and today the region is viewed as a nirvana for white varietals. With the expansion of empires and the migration of people, the grape spread throughout Europe notably Alsace, Luxembourg, north-east Italy, Germany and as far as Russia. 

A few Australian wineries in cooler regions continue to grow Sylvaner but Ballandean Estate has made their version into an 'elegant swan'. Golden in colour with greenish tinges, the wine has in the best sense of the word, intoxicating aromas of potpourri, glazed apricot and orange peel. Some oak. The palate offers up a viscous body of lime and melon marmalade with secondary flavours of quince and pineapple, the whole beautifully balanced by the grape's natural acidity. A crisp, spicy aftertaste with some sweet nuances. Fresh fruit or a cheese platter would accompany this class act really well. Lusciousness in a 375 ml bottle.

Source: Winery Sample. Alcohol: 9.0%. Closure: Cork ! Rating: 91 Points.
Website: http://www.ballandeanestate.com/Default.aspx

2011 S.C. Pannell Tempranillo Touriga

An exciting and original blend of the indigenous Iberian heavyweights Tempranillo (63%) and Touriga (37%) from renown winemaker Stephen Pannell. His history, knowledge and expertise of the industry listed Pannell as one of the top 50 influential contributors to the world of wine by Decanter Magazine in 1997. That vaunted reputation has seen him go from strength to strength with a portfolio of superb and affordable wines from his small family-owned McLaren Vale winery. 

Blending seamlessly together, the dark and brooding flavours of the Touriga combine with the earthier, savoury aspects of the Tempranillo to produce an approachable, food-friendly wine. My notes point to the intense dark cherry red colour in the glass and to the exotic and complex bouquet of fresh dark fruits, floral aromas, musk, cocoa and liquorice. Texturally silky, medium-bodied and dry but a juicy palate packed with blackberry, dark chocolate and those cherries again, add intensity to the profile. Finishes warm, moderately tannic and spicy. Delicious drinking now in its youth but will kick on until 2017.

Source: Restaurant Wine List. Alcohol: 14.0%. Closure: Screwcap. Rating: 91+ Points.
Website: https://www.pannell.com.au/
    

2008 Churchview Estate The Bartondale Reserve Marsanne

Marsanne is grown in all mainland states with the bulk of producers located in Victoria. This example from the Churchview Estate winery in Western Australia's Margaret River comes from a small planting started back in 2000.  

Marsanne is an interesting variety in that it tends to polarise opinion. You either love it or you don't and our 150 year plus history with this classic Rhone grape has done little to change that perception. A fickle variety if planted in the wrong terroir it tends to turn out flat and bland in climates that are too cool, flabby and oily in ones that are too warm. Margaret River's mild Mediterranean climate and the winery's boney lateritic gravelly soils are ideal in encouraging low yielding Marsanne grapes. 
      
A pale lemon green colour in the glass. The aromatics display subtle honeydew, apricot and jasmine nuances, which translate onto the light to medium-bodied palate. Some tight and fleshy citrus with blanched almonds. Creamy, savoury and a mineral edge across the tongue that I liked. Surprisingly and disappointingly falls off the cliff quickly. Not enough oomph to get over the magical ninety point mark but with proper cellaring, would be an interesting prospect in another few years. 

Source: Retail Purchase. Alcohol: 14.0%. Closure: Screwcap. Rating: 89+ Points.
Website: http://www.churchview.com.au/
    

2010 Torzi Matthews Vigna Cantina Sangiovese

From Torzi Matthews Vintners at McLaren Vale comes this Sangiovese from grapes grown in a region not readily associated with this variety, the Barossa Valley. The Vigna Cantina label (roughly translated as 'wine cellar') is a testament to winemaking artisan Dominic Torzi's Italian heritage and to his partner Tracy Matthews and their passion to produce a range of Italian varietals that are arguably the best coming out of South Australia these days. 

Fifteen year old Sangiovese vines at the Valley's Moppa Springs and Koonunga Hills sub-regions were treated in French oak for eighteen months. The result is an approachable, savoury fruit bomb of a wine. Rustic yet refined. Piquant yet plush.

Brick red in colour, some purply hues. Lifted spicy, earthy, tobacco and red cherry aromas. Some red currant and goji berry notes that are unusual but interesting. The medium-weight palate has persistent grippy, velvety tannins with spicy plum and cherry fruit flavours throughout. Long savoury finish. A delicious, food-friendly wine. One of the best Australian expressions of this Tuscan grape variety that I've tasted in a while.  

Source: Retail Purchase. Alcohol: 13.5%. Closure: Screwcap. Rating: 91 Points.
Website:: http://www.torzimatthews.com.au/home/  

2010 Yarraloch Estate Arneis

A variety that is finding a comfortable niche in Victoria's cool climate Yarra Valley where the conditions suit much like in its original home Piedmonte. There it is used to enhance and perfume Nebbiolo. From vines grown at nearby Coombe Farm and Murramong, this is the sixth vintage of Arneis from the boutique Yarraloch winery.

This 'little rascal' (the Piedmontese translation) invariably heads the Alternatives section of the better wine lists to be found around the traps and it is easy to understand its inclusion amongst such company. 

My notes say that in the glass a pale yellow hue with an inviting, clean citrus peel aroma and some herbal pear and ginger notes too. An attractive palate revealing a floral, citrus zing at the front end and notes of pear, lime and toasty nuts in the mid part. There's a touch of oak creaminess to complement the mineral acid backbone. Soft gravelly tannins on the back end and a refreshing dry finish. A vibrant and beautifully balanced, textural experience. 

Source: Restaurant Wine List. Alcohol: 12.5%. Closure: Screwcap. Rating: 92 Points.
Website:: http://www.yarraloch.com.au/index.php  

2009 Zonte's Footsteps Violet Beauregard Langhorne Creek Malbec

Malbec Grapes

One of the five grapes permitted in Bordeaux blends, Malbec was until 1956 a significant variety in south-west France. The great frost of that year put pay to the oldest vines there and now like Petit Verdot, takes a back seat to the Cabernet brothers Sauvignon and Franc and their mate Merlot. Most vignerons replaced the disease-prone Malbec with more resilient and economically viable alternatives. 

The predominant plantings in France are now found in the Cahors region where Appellation Controllee regulations require a 70% minimum content, Merlot and Tannat usually supplementing the remainder. In that southern region of Bordeaux it goes under the names Cot, Cot Noir or Auxerrois. 

Documented evidence suggests that Malbec has over 1000 synonyms, a legacy of widespread plantings at its peak in 30 different departments of France. It is interesting to note that the name Auxerrois in other regions such as Alsace is an entirely different grape variety. This synonym however may also suggest a hint as to its origins in a town of the same name in northern Burgundy and not as it is recorded, the Cahors region. 

Since the late 1980's Malbec has become Argentina's signature variety thriving in the hot, high altitude Mendoza Valley in the country's west where it avoids vineyard moulds and diseases that had pestered it in Bordeaux. Perhaps not as popular as the maestro Lionel Messi, it has however single-handedly put Argentina on the world's wine stage producing wines of different styles and price points. As its most widely planted variety Malbec or Fer as it is known there, has become the equivalent to the story of Australian shiraz.

If there was a spinoff in the Australian context, Malbec's resurgence, if that is what you call it, has been slow since its heyday a couple of decades ago when it was used primarily in Cabernet or Shiraz blends. With more knowledge nowadays about the health benefits of dark-skinned grapes such as Malbec and Tannat and with the efforts of entrepreneurial and enthusiastic vintners, the future appears positive for Malbec as a varietal wine in Australia.  

Malbec is found in vineyards throughout the mainland states and has thrived at Langhorne Creek for decades.  Zonte's Footstep's first 100% Malbec release packs a real wallop of blueberry. Glass staining opaque purple with an intense nose of smokey dark cherry, plum fruit, violets and the ubiquitous blueberries. Beside the stains, in the mouth you get big dark fruit and rich chocolate flavours playing centre stage. Full, well-rounded with a spicy edge to it that is softened by gentle, velvety tannins. Lingering, fruity finish. A touch flabby in texture and a little too much heat are my only concerns. Nonetheless, this is a wine that is certainly not backward in coming forward !  

Source: Retail Purchase. Alcohol: 14.5%. Closure: Screwcap. Rating: 88 Points.
Website: http://www.zontesfootstep.com.au/