Celebrate World Malbec Day with a Deep Dive into This Delicious Variety
World Malbec Day is on April 17th, and it's the perfect time to explore this exquisite grape variety.
Pour yourself a glass of the Evans & Tate Single Vineyard Malbec, or the Deep Woods Estate Single Vineyard Cabernet Malbec and enjoy the read.
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, Malbec was one of the six grape varieties permitted in Bordeaux blends. However, its presence in Bordeaux has diminished over time due to its poor resistance to weather and pests.
Malbec remained relatively obscure until it was planted in Argentina in the 1880s. In the high-altitude regions of Argentina, particularly Mendoza, Malbec found ideal growing conditions and flourished. Today, Malbec is one of Argentina’s most famous wine varieties and is planted in over seven countries, including Australia, where it thrives in regions like the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Langhorne Creek in South Australia, as well as parts of Western Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.
Fun Fact: The first record of Malbec is over 2000 years old, originating in the South of France. During the Middle Ages, Malbec became popular with English royalty and was even rumored to be the drink of choice at royal weddings.
The Malbec Grape
Malbec loves sunshine, which helps ripen its thick skins rich in anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for Malbec's deep, dark color. High-quality Malbec is usually grown in regions with significant diurnal temperature changes, like Margaret River. These temperature shifts help the fruit retain higher acid levels, producing fresher, more age-worthy wines. High-elevation sites in Argentina also benefit from wide diurnal temperature shifts, contributing to their exceptional Malbec wines.
Malbec prefers well-drained soils, such as gravelly or sandy soils, to prevent waterlogging and vine stress. However, Malbec can adapt to various soil types, including limestone, clay, and alluvial soils.
Fun Fact: Malbec wines often have a bright magenta rim, which can help identify the varietal during a blind tasting.
What Does Malbec Taste Like?
Malbec is known for its bold fruit flavors like red plum, blackberry, dark cherry, and raspberry, often complemented by spices such as vanilla, tobacco, and cocoa. High-quality Malbec wines are usually full-bodied with high acidity.
Single Varietal Wines vs. Blending Components
Malbec has traditionally been used as a blending component to impart smooth, supple tannins and fruit richness to wines. However, there is a growing trend towards producing single varietal Malbec wines, especially in Margaret River.
Evans & Tate Senior Winemaker Matt Byrne and Deep Woods Estate Chief Winemaker Julian Langworthy have identified some of the best sites for Malbec and are producing 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 2024 Single Vineyard Malbec
The fruit was picked cool in the early morning of 3rd March 2024 (3 weeks earlier than average for this Block) before being cold soaked on skins for 5 days. The must started wild fermentation in a small open fermenter with gentle hand plunging of the skins to extract colour and structure without any harsh tannins. When the decision was made to press the ferment off skins, the pressings component was blended back into the free-run to achieve the body and structure of the final wine that we are after.
"Made from 38-year-old vines on the Summus Vineyard this wine is elegant, perfumed, juicy and lighter in body making this a refreshing, flavoursome drink. A rare wine in the Margaret River winescape." Senior Winemaker, Matt Byrne.
Relax and unwind with a glass of this wine in front of the fire on these cooler Autumn nights, paired with a chargrilled rump steak and stuffed peppers.
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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