This is a very good wine from esteemed Clare Valley producer Wendouree and the 2016 vintage. I would argue it’s more Clare Valley than malbec. It’s a very different style to Mendoza or Cahors. Cahors is more savoury and Bordeaux like. Mendoza has more generous fruit, and can have multi dimensional expressions of fruit with a sweet and savoury character. This wine derives a lot of its character from oak ageing and a very firm spine of acidity. At nine years of age, it is deeply coloured and has intense aromas of blackberries, with vanilla underneath. Cellared since its release, it has not really developed and remains youthful. The palate is full bodied with ripe blackberry fruit and a stern spine of acidity. It is arguably a little one dimensional at this stage though of evident high quality. The tannins are modest with a slight powdery texture. I would recommend decanting this wine, something I did not do. Overall, this is a very good wine that requires further ageing. Review Rating: Good to Very Good (★★★☆, 89 points). Website: NA. Tasted: March 2025. Like: Subscribe.
