Wines - Good Shepherd

Details

Variety
Cabernet/Malbec
Current Release
2010
First Vintage
2009
Price
$36.00 per bottle
 
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Over the years I’ve developed a penchant for some great Cabernet dominated blends made in Australia during the 70’s and 80’s. When I’m on the road, I always have a dig around in the back sections of my favourite bottle shops hoping to hunt down an old bottle of this famous blend. It’s always surprising how well these wines age; they effortlessly manage to retain their vivid, inky purple colour and robust tannin structure over two or three decades. I can see why Cabernet Malbec has been one of my father’s favourite drinks for many a year, so I’ve grown the Malbec and made this for him to say thanks for being a good shepherd and pointing me in the right direction.

Tasting Notes

> 2010 Tasting Notes

For me, Cab Malbec is one of the best ageing wines made in Australia. I’m always hunting around in the deep, dark areas of old cellars for a stray bottle of this delicious blend with a bit of age on it. The influence to make this classic Aussie blend comes directly from my observation of my fathers’ long time love affair with Leasingham Bin 56 and A.P. Birks Wendouree Cellars (very hard to get your hands on). I was frustrated that there was simply not enough of this style made in Australia, so I took it upon myself to plant a couple of acres of Malbec to blend with our cult favourite, Cabernet. The Malbec is a big berried but tough skinned grape which provides an amazing deep purple colour when fermenting. It delivers a big hit of blueberry on the nose which is quite different to anything else on offer from the Rusden cellar. Our first vintage, the 2009, brought some great feedback from the trade and amongst those on the mailing list. I think the 2010 is more concentrated but very similar in style to last year’s model and should provide many years of pleasurable drinking. Thanks and Cheers Dad!

> 2009 Tasting Notes

It’s been a long time coming but here it is- the first Cabernet Malbec bottled at Rusden. I love what the 40% Malbec does with our younger Cabernet– it gives it a real juicy, blueberry lift, so it’s not as herbal as straight Cab Sav. No new oak means it’s really upfront fruit on the palate with a real softness and silkiness that screams- ‘drink it up.’