Celebrate World Malbec Day
To celebrate World Malbec Day this year (17 April) we are going to take a deep dive into this delicious variety.
Be sure to sit down with a glass of the Evans & Tate Single Vineyard Malbec, or the Deep Woods Estate Single Vineyard Cabernet Malbec and get reading!
The History of Malbec
Malbec originated in the Cahors region of Southwest France, where it is also known as Côt and Auxxerois. Known for its deep, dark color and tannic structure, it was also one of the six grape varieties permitted in Bordeaux blends, though its presence there has diminished over time due to its poor resistance to weather and pests.
Malbec remained a relatively obscure varietal until it was planted in Argentina in the 1880s and was found to flourish in the high-altitude regions of Argentina, particularly in Mendoza, where it found ideal growing conditions. Malbec quickly became one of the most well-known wines to be produced in South America and today, it remains one of Argentina’s most famous varieties.
The variety is now planted in over seven countries around the world, including Australia, where it is grown in regions such as the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Langhorne Creek in South Australia, as well as in parts of Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that the very first record of the Malbec varietal is from over 2000 years ago in the South of France? During the Middle Ages, French Malbec became extremely popular with English royalty and was even rumoured to be the drink of choice at royal weddings!
The Malbec Grape
Malbec loves the sun. Sunshine helps ripen Malbec’s thick skins, which have high levels of colour pigment (called anthocyanins). These pigments contribute to the deep, dark colour seen in Malbec wines!
High quality Malbec is almost always grown in regions with a large diurnal temperature change (i.e., sunny days and cool nights) – just like Margaret River! This temperature change means that the fruit retains higher acid levels, producing more fresh, age worthy wines. Higher elevation sites can also promote a wide diurnal temperature shift, and this is one of the reasons Argentina produces such incredible, age-worthy Malbec wines.
Malbec also prefers well-drained soils to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to vine stress and disease. Gravelly or sandy soils are often favored, as they encourage deep root penetration and good drainage, however Malbec can also adapt to a variety of soil types, including limestone, clay, and alluvial soils.
Fun fact:
Malbec wines will often have a bright magenta rim, which can be helpful to determine this varietal when doing a blind tasting!
What does Malbec taste like?
Think bold fruits like red plum, blackberry, dark cherry and raspberry. These fruit characters are often complemented by spices such as vanilla, tobacco and cocoa. High quality expressions are often full bodied with high acidity.
Single Varietal Wines vs Blending Components
Did you know that Malbec has commonly been used as a blending tool to impart smooth, supple tannins and fruit richness to a final wine? Recently there has also been a shift towards producing single varietal Malbec wines and this is particularly the case in Margaret River.
Evans & Tate Senior Winemaker Matt Byrne and Deep Woods Estate Chief Winemaker Julian Langworthy have determined some of the best sites for Malbec to flourish and are producing some of the most highly awarded Malbec wines in the region. They said:
"With World Malbec Day approaching and with an abundance of delicious Malbec fruit fresh into the winery, we [the winery team] are celebrating one of the strong suits of Margaret River.
"Malbec is grown widely around the world and has very different personalities depending on where it is grown. Malbec for our Single Vineyard wines are deep in colour, brimming with blue fruits and violets, have supple, juicy tannins and a plushness to the palate. They are joyous single varietal wines while also perfectly complementing the nobility of Margaret River Cabernet."
Discover what a single varietal Malbec wine tastes like, as well as how Malbec can have a huge influence as a blending component with our two Margaret River wines below.
Evans & Tate 2022 Single Vineyard Malbec
Awarded two trophies for Best Other Varietal Red Wine at the Royal Hobart Wine Show and the Wine Show of Western Australia, the 2022 Single Vineyard Malbec is an award-winning wine showcasing the bright future of single varietal and single vineyard Malbec in Margaret River.
Following an exceptional 2022 vintage, pristine Malbec fruit was sourced from the family-run Carter Road Vineyard in the heart of Wilyabrup. The resulting wine is equal parts intense and delicate, with a juicy palate enhancing bright red fruits and a moreish savoury spice.
Senior Winemaker Matt Byrne describes this wine as “a world-class Malbec wine rarely seen as a straight varietal in Australia, let alone Margaret River".
Relax and unwind with a glass of this wine in front of the fire on these cooler Autumn nights, paired with a warming bowl of braised lamb ragu.
2x Trophies
3x Gold Medals
Deep Woods Estate 2021 Single Vineyard Cabernet Malbec
For the first time, the fruit for this wine was sourced from the Septimus Vineyard – a super low yielding, mature site located in Central Wilyabrup. Deep Woods Estate Chief Winemaker Julian Langworthy describes this parcel of land as, "...one of the oldest in the region, it produces wines with great personality and, as always, stunning elegance and charm.” The 2021 Single Vineyard Cabernet Malbec captures a vintage snapshot of Cabernet Malbec from this single vineyard site. 2021 was a cooler vintage, and the palate reflects this showing vibrancy and perfume with bright berry fruits, supple, silky tannins and a deliciously long finish.
Awarded 96 points in the Halliday Wine Companion 2024: “At once powerful yet contained with the varieties...beautifully matched. While the classy Cabernet aromas and flavours come through, they are rendered more savoury by the Malbec and oak. The fuller-bodied palate is alive and vibrant, flavours build and the tannins have presence, all textural and ripe. The finish lingers as long as this wine will in at least two decades.”
This wine was also awarded 96 points by Angus Hughson in his Margaret River Guide 2024.
Julian recommends taking a leaf out of the Argentinian’s book and going with BBQ meats for the ultimate food and wine pairing.
1x Silver Medal
"Medium-deep crimson. Classical blackcurrant cedar spice aromas with nutmeg notes. Generous and supple with pure sweet fruited cassis, dark chocolate, mocha cedar flavours and persistent fine grained tannins. Lovely volume and balance."
- 96 Points, Angus Hughson, Margaret River Guide 2024
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