2008 Bleasdale Tempranillo Malbec
Langhorne Creek, South Australia
Well it seems that autumn has finally hit our southern shores and crisp evening and chilly nights call for a bright, juicy full-bodied red. But when you’ve had as much of Shiraz and Grenache, Cabernet and Merlot as you can handle and Pinot just isn’t offering the grunt you’re looking for, where can you turn?
Obviously there are many alternatives, but one that has caught my eye and titillate my tastebuds recently is the 2008 Bleasdale Tempranillo Malbec.
Hailing from the Pott family winery in Langhorne Creek, this blending of 60% Spanish (Tempranillo) and 40% French (Malbec) sounds a bit unconventional until one recalls that Malbec is also the leading red variety of Argentina, where it sheds its French savouriness and reserve and takes on a bright, vibrant, generous Spanish accent. And now it all makes sense, especially when you smell and taste this wine.
Sweetly juicy fruited on the nose, with mulberries, violets and a hint of cocoa. On the palate the wine is firmly structured, yet generous and plump fruited, tasting of dark cherries, and bitter chocolate. This will develop savoury complexity with a little age but it’s such a lovely drink right now it might be difficult to put down! Just as comfortable cozying up with a mature cheddar and crackers, the Mediterranean flavours of ratatouille and lamb cutlets or a juicy char grilled steak.
Distribution: online and select wine stores
RRP: $24.00
© Kate McIntyre April 2010
Wine Diva Wines of the Month, May 2010
