Paul Wallace, Black Dog Malbec 2020

Description

The 2020 Paul Wallace Black Dog Malbec is the eleventh vintage made from grapes produced on the family farm, Wallovale Vineyards. It is named after Jake, Paul’s beefy black shadow, a cross Labrador/Rottweiler, who was a puppy when the farm was bought in 2003. Jake is sadly no longer with us but two black labs, Angus and Becky, continue the legacy. The Malbec grape is also known as the Black Grape and it is this characteristic that has been incorporated into the name.

The three individual blocks that comprise the Malbec plantings each have their own unique profile due to different row direction and training systems. Each block was harvested and vinified separately, each contributing it’s own unique building block. Left on the skins for post fermentation maceration, before being transferred into 225 and 300 litre French oak barriques, where MLF took place. The wine spent approximately 15 months in wood with a 20% new wood component. 30% was matured in a concrete egg, contributing towards the fruit driven profile and adding yet another building block to the final compilation.

Much like the dog, the wine is dark in colour, well-muscled, intense and full of character. The Black Dog Malbec presents with an intriguing somewhat exotic nose, conjuring up hints of black plums, blue and black berries, bramble, rhubarb,violets and a touch of cumin.The entry onto the palate follows on the expectation of the nose – a satisfying fruit-filled mouthful of dark fruits linked by a herbal element and held together by rounded, silky tannins – just enough to contribute to food friendliness. The Black Dog Malbec is a truly memorable wine which reflects the natural elegance we have come to expect from Elgin wines.

The ideal accompaniment to red meat dishes, beef steak, game or slow roasted lamb or should it take your fancy, sit in front of a fire, sip slowly and dip into a bowl of pistachio nuts or biltong.

Bottles Produced: 6600

Additional information

Red meat dishes, game and slow-roasted lamb.