People often ask us about the label of our Hungerford Hill Single Vineyard Malbec. To us, the rose and thorns represent the intensity of experiencing something beautiful and fierce at the same time. Much like our Malbec wine (with its intense blood like colour), we love the contradiction. It was this contradiction that marked the rise of Malbec in its most notorious home, Argentina. While little of this variety is left in its native France, Malbec has been synonymous with the rise of Argentinian wine globally. The warm climate of Mendoza combined with the region’s high altitude turned this variety into a global superstar.
Origins Story
Originating from South-West of France, Malbec is used in wines of Cahors as well as in the Loire Valley, where it’s known as Côt. It’s also loosely classified as a Bordeaux variety, although it’s rarely used as part of the blends from that region today. The cooler climates in France are a stark contrast to the warmer regions of Argentina and Australia. French Malbecs struggled to compete with the more approachable blends in Bordeaux, and so fell out of fashion. A widespread frost in 1956 killed off many of the original Malbec plantings, with many vineyards choosing to forgo replanting this variety.
So what was it that set the world on fire for Malbec? This humble grape was introduced to Argentina in the mid 19th century where it quickly adapted to the new climate. Fast forward to the mid 90’s, where modern winemaking techniques were able to capture a fruit forward and fresh style of Malbec, presenting it to the world at a competitive price. The rest is history. Now, Argentina’s Malbec regions (especially those on the slopes of the Andes), are capable of producing Malbec wines of acclaim.
Malbec in Australia’s Hilltops Region
So how did Malbec end up in the Hilltops region of NSW? Glad you asked. The bold and luscious flavours achievable in Malbec require a certain set of perfect conditions. You need a combination of warm days (to lift the dark cherry and blackberry notes out of the stratosphere), and cool nights (to maintain the vibrant acidity needed to make this wine a knockout). Like Mendoza, the Hilltops region has both of these qualities.
Hungerford Hill Malbec is sourced from a special vineyard in the Hilltops region called Barwang. The gently curving slopes are home to a deep red granite-clay with basalt that is free draining, and the warm summer and Autumn conditions are perfect for harvest. At 450 m above sea level, the nights are remarkably cool, even in the summer, which is the defining characteristic needed to grow sublime Malbec.
Again, it’s all about contradiction with this wine. That’s not to say it’s all roses! Malbec is notoriously challenging to grow. Being more susceptible to disease along with having a narrower window of perfect weather conditions to operate within, makes this grape variety a labour of love. It’s also susceptible to frost, which, when combined with its need for cool nights, can present a challenge. But treat it with some care in the winery and you will be rewarded for years to come.
Hungerford Hill Malbec.
The 2022 Hungerford Hill Malbec is easily noticeable by its characteristic colour. With a vibrant purple with Malbec’s signature crimson rim, it’s easy to pick out of a line-up. Aromas of fresh blackberry jam, black cherries and violets lift out of the glass and continue on the palate. But it’s not all warm fruit. Contrasting acidity and silky tannins ensure the flavours will long be remembered. Wrap all that up in a bouquet of toasty cedar and vanillin oak and you have yourself a wine.
Discover the wondrous contradiction that is out 2022 Single Vineyard Malbec.
Shop our Single Vineyard Malbec 6 Pack, currently discounted by 20%!