Founded in 1893 by Alfred Percy Birks, Wendouree is one of Australia’s most revered and collectible wine producers. Based in South Australia’s Clare Valley, the estate is synonymous with authenticity, tradition, and longevity. Under the custodianship of Tony and Lita Brady, Wendouree continues to produce profound, age-worthy reds from some of the oldest dry-grown vineyards in the country—crafted with minimal intervention and unwavering consistency.
Vineyard
The Cabernet Malbec is a signature Wendouree blend, drawn exclusively from estate vineyards that include vines planted as far back as 1898. These ancient, ungrafted, dry-grown vines thrive on red-brown loam over limestone soils, yielding fruit of exceptional concentration and tannic precision. Fermentation occurs in open slate fermenters before the wine is matured in a mix of new and seasoned French oak. It is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving the purity and individuality of the vineyard.
Vintage
The 2020 vintage was one of the smallest in Wendouree’s history due to hot and dry conditions during the growing season, yet the fruit that survived delivered wines of outstanding concentration and definition. Low yields produced a Cabernet Malbec of great depth, fine structure, and remarkable intensity—dense yet refined, and built for generations.
Tasting Notes
The 2020 Wendouree Cabernet Malbec is dark crimson with a deep, saturated core. The nose opens with intense aromas of blackcurrant, mulberry, violet, and graphite, layered with hints of cedar, earth, and tobacco leaf. The palate is full-bodied yet restrained, showing cassis, dark plum, and savoury spice enveloped by firm, beautifully integrated tannins. The wine’s hallmark Wendouree texture—dense yet poised—carries through to an exceptionally long, mineral finish. Profound and tightly wound, it will evolve majestically over decades.
Critics’ Acclaim
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98 points – The Wine Front (Gary Walsh)
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97 points – Huon Hooke, The Real Review
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Langton’s Classification: “Exceptional”
Lauded for its purity, depth, and monumental structure, the 2020 is considered a classic modern Wendouree—small in volume, immense in character.
Technical Information
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Region: Clare Valley, South Australia
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Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Malbec
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Alcohol: ~13.5%
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Maturation: French oak (new and seasoned, 12–18 months)
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Closure: Cork
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Drinking Window: 2035–2080+
A Collectible Gem
The 2020 Wendouree Cabernet Malbec is a wine of immense gravitas and rarity—small in production but monumental in expression. Combining the power of old vines with the finesse of a masterfully balanced vintage, it represents the pinnacle of Clare Valley terroir and the enduring legacy of one of Australia’s greatest estates.
