Knappstein Malbec 2023
- 92
- $25
- Drink by: 2025-2033
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Always intriguing to see a solo varietal Malbec. It has long been used as a blending component in the Clare Valley, but here we have it standing on its own, the fruit coming from the Yertabulti and Provis Vineyards. These are situated in the north of the Valley. Blood red/maroon with a purple rim, the nose reveals good oak integration along with notes of spices, red apples, chocolate, kirsch, raspberries, aniseed and chocolate. Seamless in structure, this is a medium weight wine, mid-length, with fine tannins. There is a gentle fade here. Six to eight years.
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.
