Georges Malbec 2019
- 92
- $35
- Drink by: 2023-2033
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A single vineyard Malbec, from the Bass Hill Vineyard, this shows another side of the Clare Valley. It is fast forging a reputation as a region where varieties which struggle to achieve anything more than a minor role as a blending component are actually stepping up to the spotlight. Great to see. The wine sees maturation in French oak barriques, 40% of them new. This is a deep but vibrant red. We have black and red fruit notes intermingling – raspberries, cherries, blackcurrants, spices and tobacco leaves. Thanks to good focus, medium length and firm tannins, this is an attractive example of what Malbec can achieve. Enjoy it any time over the next decade.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
