As a single variety, Malbec has been an underachiever in Australia. The firm, tannic styles made in France and the softer, easy drinking styles form Argentina have cemented a place in the wine world as great expressions of this variety. There is undoubted potential for Australian Malbec (Bleasdale and Wendouree spring to mind as very good wines) and with a soft spot for the variety the addition to the Coates range was first made with the 2009 vintage release.
Deep crimson in colour, the nose provides profound black cherry and blueberry fruits accompanied by savoury notes. The medium-bodied palate offers rich forest fruits intermingled with dried herb and mocha accents.
Sourced from farther afield than Duane Coates' usual turf, this beautifully aromatic, mid-weighted and highly savoury malbec hails from Robe, on the Limestone Coast. wild-fermented with partial whole berries, extracted sensitively with a good dash of exceptional oak (18 months, 45% new), this has a mellifluous flow from fore to aft across a svelte cushion of violet, dark cherry and svelte tannins, pulling it all to a long linger. This is a lovely drink.
96 points Ned Goodwin MW winecompanion.com.au 1 August 2019