Singlefile Great Southern Malbec 2024

Tasting Notes

• Colour: Vibrant, deep purple hue, reflecting the wine’s richness.
• Aromatics: A welcoming bouquet of dark fruits like plums and blackberries, accented by hints of chocolate and spicy oak.
• Palate: The wine is lush and mouth-filling, with a juicy red fruit flavour profile complemented by natural acidity and soft tannins.
• Finish: The finish is long and smooth, with the fine tannins giving the wine structure and leaving a satisfying aftertaste.

Food Pairing Suggestions

• Grilled Lamb: The fruitiness of the Malbec pairs beautifully with the rich flavours of grilled lamb, enhancing the meat’s natural taste.
• Mushroom Risotto: For a vegetarian option, try this wine with a hearty mushroom risotto, where the soft tannins complement the earthiness of the mushrooms.
• Cheese: Pairs well with aged cheeses like Gouda or sharp cheddar, adding another layer of enjoyment to the tasting experience.
• BBQ Dishes: Perfect for a relaxed meal with friends, particularly with BBQ meats like steak or sausages, where the wine’s fruit profile stands out.

Vineyard & Winemaking

The malbec grape originates from France, the majority found in the Cahors region, a small town in the south-west. Because of the grapes’ thin skin, it is susceptible to poor weather and the pests of the region, and hasn’t surfaced as a top French variety. However, it is a common blending grape used in many of the great wines of Bordeaux. It has also found a home in Mendoza, Argentina where a French botanist planted it by order of the mayor in 1868. It is increasingly being celebrated as an Argentine varietal.

There are only very small plantings of malbec in the Great Southern, and it has proven well suited to the climate and soils of the Frankland River subregion. This 2024 vintage fruit was picked and sorted on 6 March. It was cold soaked in small fermenters for two days before undergoing an extended and gentle maceration allowing for the softening of the tannins with the goal of creating a wine with structure and texture, along with the natural juicy flavour profile of malbec. Twenty five percent of the wine was matured in new Bordeaux oak barriques. The balance went to two- and three-year old Bordeaux barriques for nine months maturation before final preparation for bottling in December 2024.

Technical Data

• Grape Variety: Malbec
• Region: Frankland River, Great Southern, Western Australia
• Alcohol: 14% by Vol | 8.4 Standard Drinks
• pH: 3.56
• Titratable Acidity: 5.6 g/L
• Cellaring: Can be enjoyed now or cellared for up to 5 years.

Best Serving Temperature

• Ideal Serving Temperature: 16°C
  Serving the wine slightly below room temperature helps highlight its fresh fruit flavours while allowing the oak influence to shine through. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes prior to serving.

FAQ Wine Terms 🤔

• Maceration: The process of soaking the grape skins in the juice to extract colour, flavours, and tannins. Extended maceration helps to soften tannins and develop a smoother texture.
• Bordeaux Oak Barriques: French oak barrels used for aging the wine, which contribute to the wine’s texture and complexity, adding subtle oak spice and depth without overpowering the fruit flavours.
• Titratable Acidity: A measure of the wine’s acidity, which influences its freshness and balance. This Malbec has a well-balanced acidity, enhancing its juiciness and making it more food-friendly.
• pH: A measure of the wine’s acidity. This wine’s pH of 3.56 reflects a good balance between freshness and richness.