Tasting Notes 🍷

• Colour: Dark plum with a ruby hue.
• Aromatics: Forest fruits, plum, and Christmas spice.
• Palate: Powerful and juicy, with fleshy fruit intensity leading to an elegant, long, and persistent finish.

Winemaking

Grapes were picked at optimal ripeness and crushed into stainless steel fermenters for controlled alcoholic fermentation. Following fermentation, the wine was matured in French oak for 15 months, allowing for well-integrated tannins and a refined structure. It was then fined and filtered before bottling.

Food Pairing Suggestions

• Roast Lamb with Seasonal Vegetables – The wine’s robust structure complements the richness of roasted meats.
• Aged Cheeses – Pairs beautifully with hard cheeses like aged cheddar or manchego.
• Slow-Cooked Beef Dishes – Enhances the depth of flavours in hearty, braised meals.

Serving & Storage Tips

• Serving Temperature: Best enjoyed at 16–18°C to enhance its bold flavours and structure.
• Decanting: Allow the wine to breathe for 30–60 minutes before serving for optimal flavour development.
• Storage: Store in a cool, dark place with stable temperature and humidity levels. Ideally, keep the bottle on its side to prevent oxidation.

Vintage Notes

The 2018 vintage in Western Australia’s wine regions, including areas near Nannup, was marked by favourable conditions that contributed to high-quality grape production. Winter rainfall was close to the long-term average, ensuring adequate water availability for the vines. As the growing season progressed, conditions remained cooler than usual with above-average rainfall, necessitating vigilant management of potential issues like powdery mildew and botrytis. However, the arrival of cool and dry autumn weather allowed for optimal final ripening, resulting in elegant wines with concentrated flavours and fine tannins.

In the Nannup region, these conditions led to a successful harvest, with varieties such as Malbec benefiting from the extended ripening period and meticulous vineyard practices. Overall, the 2018 vintage in Nannup and surrounding areas is considered exceptional, producing wines of notable quality and character.

Technical Details

• Vintage: 2018
• Grape Variety: Malbec
• Growing Area: Nannup, Western Australia
• Alcohol: 14.0% v/v
• Titratable Acidity: 5.6 g/L
• pH: 3.62
• Oak Maturation: 15 months in French oak
• Cellar Potential: 5–8 years

FAQ 🤔

Q: What does ‘titratable acidity’ mean?
A: Titratable acidity (TA) measures the total acidity in a wine, which affects its freshness and balance. A higher TA means a more vibrant and crisp wine, while a lower TA results in a smoother, rounder mouthfeel.

Q: Why is Malbec known for its deep colour?
A: Malbec grapes have thick skins, which contribute to the wine’s deep, inky colour and rich tannin structure. This gives the wine its bold flavour and excellent ageing potential.

Q: What is ‘botrytis’ and why is it significant in winemaking?
A: Botrytis, or ‘noble rot,’ is a fungus that can either damage grapes or, in controlled cases, enhance their concentration and sweetness. In the 2018 vintage, vineyard management was crucial in preventing botrytis from affecting grape quality.

Q: How does French oak influence the wine’s flavour?
A: French oak imparts subtle spice, vanilla, and toasty notes, adding complexity and structure without overpowering the natural fruit characteristics of the wine.

Q: What is the best way to store this wine?
A: Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place with stable temperature and humidity levels. Ideally, store it on its side to keep the cork moist and prevent oxidation.

Q: Should I decant this Malbec before serving?
A: Yes, decanting for 30–60 minutes before serving allows the wine to open up, enhancing its aromas and flavours for a more enjoyable tasting experience.

Learn about Nannup Estate

Nestled amidst serene forests and winding rivers, Nannup beckons with its picturesque charm throughout the year. Whether you’re strolling through vibrant autumn foliage, cozying up to a crackling fireside on a misty winter morning, or witnessing the burst of tulips in spring, this town offers a kaleidoscope of experiences to cherish, including it’s beautiful wine region. Nannup is situated on the banks of the Blackwood River and nestled in the Blackwood River Valley. Take a drive on the Blackwood Valley Tourist Drive from Nannup and be spellbound by the towering Karri trees that surround the area. Along the way top in stop in at Balingup, Bridgetown and Donnelly River.

Perched atop the granite ridges of the Blackwood River Escarpment, the Nannup Estate vineyard basks in an elevated setting. Throughout the growing season, the long summer days provide ample sunshine, complemented by refreshing cool evenings and gentle coastal breezes in the afternoons—creating an idyllic environment for cultivation. With plentiful water supply, nutrient-rich granite loam soils, and minimal frost and disease challenges, the vineyard enjoys optimal conditions, ensuring dependable quality and producing consistently exceptional vintages.

Late in the 19th century roaming cattle were constantly found grazing on the sweet grass of the granite hills which are now home to Nannup Estate. Farmers recognised the quality of the land and the location was one of the first to be taken up for agriculture in the region. It is still considered by local farmers as prime production land. Standing proudly at the highest vantage point of Nannup Estate Wines, commanding views across the expansive property, is a sturdy jarrah firetower erected in the 1960s by the Forestry Department of that era. Positioned strategically, this tower served as a crucial component in the department’s firefighting efforts, overseeing the landscape with vigilance. While advancements in technology have rendered the tower obsolete in modern fire control operations, its enduring presence remains a poignant symbol of the property’s historical significance and its commanding position in the surrounding terrain.

Planning a trip to Nannup? Make sure to visit the official page to help plan your trip: Visit Australia’s South West for more information

Learn More about getting the most out of your Nannup Wine HERE