2022 Corymbia Tempranillo Malbec Cabernet, Swan Valley

That deep magenta colour grabs you from the outset, lively aromatics of mulberry, poached rhubarb and all spice pull you in closer. The senses are filled with a slightly tart, slightly salty, slightly sweet sensation akin to the first bite of a perfectly ripe blood plum. Freshly picked blueberries and squid ink umami weave through this crunchy, vibrant, juicy, fleshy, turgid, lip smacking and moreish wine.

Corymbia is the deep-rooted, far-sighted vision of husband-and wife-team, Rob and Genevieve Mann. The Mann name is synonymous with Western Australia’s Swan Valley, where Rob’s pioneering grandfather Jack worked a remarkable 51 consecutive vintages for Houghton. Rob was just a boy when he joined his father - former Australian test cricketer Tony - in planting the vines on what is now the dry-grown, organically farmed Corymbia vineyard. Rob was one of the crop of hotshots at Hardys during the reign of Stephen Pannell, before Rob himself took the mantle of senior winemaker at Hardys Tintara. From there he established a name for himself as one of the great talents of his generation during his time at the helm of Cape Mentelle.