Wendouree is one of Australia’s most revered and enigmatic wine producers. Founded in 1893 by Alfred Percy Birks in the Clare Valley, the estate remains a benchmark for authenticity, tradition, and longevity. Under the custodianship of Tony and Lita Brady, Wendouree continues to craft wines from dry-grown, ungrafted vines—relying on meticulous vineyard work and minimalist winemaking to create some of Australia’s most collectible and age-worthy reds.
Vineyard
The Cabernet Malbec blend is drawn from Wendouree’s original vineyards, including blocks planted in 1898 on red-brown loam over limestone soils. These ancient vines produce minuscule yields of intensely concentrated fruit. Fermentation occurs in open slate fermenters before maturation in a mix of new and seasoned French oak, bottled at the estate without fining or filtration.
Vintage
The 2023 vintage in Clare Valley was defined by a cool, steady growing season with excellent fruit set and slow, even ripening. This produced wines of great purity, tension, and structural refinement. The 2023 Cabernet Malbec is expected to be one of the most classically balanced Wendouree releases of the decade, combining density with restraint and extraordinary longevity.
Tasting Notes
The 2023 Wendouree Cabernet Malbec opens with lifted aromas of cassis, mulberry, cedar, and graphite, underpinned by floral notes and subtle earthiness. The palate is medium to full-bodied, showing dark currant, plum, and black olive framed by fine, chalky tannins. Layers of spice, tobacco, and savoury minerality build across the mid-palate, leading to a long, firm, and persistent finish. As always, this wine speaks quietly but powerfully—complex, uncompromising, and destined for decades in the cellar.
Critics’ Acclaim
(Early vintage notes and assessments pending release)
Consistent with Wendouree’s lineage, the 2023 vintage is expected to age gracefully for 40+ years, evolving with unmatched depth and poise.
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 (approx. 12–18 months)
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Closure: Cork
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Drinking Window: 2030–2070+
A Collectible Gem
The 2023 Wendouree Cabernet Malbec epitomises the estate’s legendary style—power without excess, structure without hardness, and purity without artifice. With its old-vine concentration and graceful composure, it stands as one of Australia’s most enduring and collectible wines.
