If Wendouree is known for the ageworthiness of its wines, what of a wine made from the Pressings of Malbec?! 17 years on from vintage, Wendouree’s 1997 Pressings Mb is starting to hit its straps. The tannic framework of youth has fully resolved and the wine has developed considerable aromatic complexity.
While Wendouree is often associated with power, it would be wrong to caricature wines such as this as one-dimensional monsters. In fact, there’s an almost European elegance at play here, and genuine savoury quality to the wine that sets it apart from many Australian dry red wines.
Squeezed in between the lauded 1996 and 1998 vintages, 1997 in South Australia never received and great plaudits for red wines (Clare Valley Riesling was an entirely different matter). However, this particular bottle again demonstrates that better 1997’s have a lot to offer. There’s an almost regal quality to this outstanding Wendouree wine. Although delivering plenty of pleasure now, it has sufficient stuffing to go another decade and more.
1997 WENDOUREE PRESSINGS Mb
Producer: Wendouree
Variety: Malbec
Vintage: 1997
Region: Clare Valley, South Australia
ABV: 13%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: N/a
Date tasted: 12 June 2014
Tasting Note:
Deep ruby. Alluring nose of tilled earth, mint, anise, blackcurrant and plum, touch of woodsmoke. Full bodied, dry and savoury. Tannins are fully resolved, but the wine is still very much primary fruit driven. Quite ‘Old World’ like in terms of its savoury palate and elegance. Aristocratic!
Score: 18/20
While Wendouree is often associated with power, it would be wrong to caricature wines such as this as one-dimensional monsters. In fact, there’s an almost European elegance at play here, and genuine savoury quality to the wine that sets it apart from many Australian dry red wines.
Squeezed in between the lauded 1996 and 1998 vintages, 1997 in South Australia never received and great plaudits for red wines (Clare Valley Riesling was an entirely different matter). However, this particular bottle again demonstrates that better 1997’s have a lot to offer. There’s an almost regal quality to this outstanding Wendouree wine. Although delivering plenty of pleasure now, it has sufficient stuffing to go another decade and more.
1997 WENDOUREE PRESSINGS MbProducer: Wendouree
Variety: Malbec
Vintage: 1997
Region: Clare Valley, South Australia
ABV: 13%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: N/a
Date tasted: 12 June 2014
Tasting Note:
Deep ruby. Alluring nose of tilled earth, mint, anise, blackcurrant and plum, touch of woodsmoke. Full bodied, dry and savoury. Tannins are fully resolved, but the wine is still very much primary fruit driven. Quite ‘Old World’ like in terms of its savoury palate and elegance. Aristocratic!
Score: 18/20
1 comment:
Oh - good to read!
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