Whether you're a seasoned wine connoisseur or a curious beginner, International Malbec Day is a perfect opportunity to raise a glass of this dark, inky coloured, full bodied wine - bursting with intense flavours of black cherry, plum and raspberries.
Originally from France, where it was primarily used as a blending grape in Bordeaux blends it was introduced, in the mid-19th century, to Argentina. Here it thrived in the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza and has since become the signature grape of Argentina.
Raise a glass of Malbec with us this weekend and save 15% on selected Malbec wines. Promotion ends on Monday 21st April at midnight!
4 products
2020 Hermanuspietersfontein Kleinboet (Bordeaux Blend)
Regular price £21.49‘Kleinboet’ translates to ‘Little Brother’ from Afrikaans. This alludes to the fact that this Bordeaux Blend is incredibly elegant, with only 12.5% alcohol, compared to other South African Bordeaux Blends.
Although quite the lad, he’s not too big for his boots
Larger than life, there’s nothing small about him! The agile charmer, living life to the full. Simple, down to earth. With energy and a second breath, he’s not the kind to be second guessed…
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright red and purple fruit such as raspberries and blueberries; savoury notes; dried herbs (oregano and rosemary).
Palate
Generous offering form entrance to finish; supple and full without over-saturating the palate with tannin; persistent with good length.
Vinification
A Bordeaux blend that is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and comprises of all five ‘noble’ varietals (Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet franc and Malbec). The use of 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill oak over 24 months ensures a beautiful “marriage” between the different varietals. The wine showcases bright red and purple fruit such as raspberries and blueberries; savoury notes; dried herbs (oregano and rosemary). On the palate this wine presents a generous offering from entrance to finish.
History
You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In 1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing letters to the locals easier.
150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof, which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for South Africa’s coolest wine growing region.
Specifications
| Year | 2020 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar |
48% Cabernet Sauvignon 18% Merlot 11% Petit Verdot 11% Cabernet franc 11% Malbec. |
| Country | South Africa |
|
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | 5 years and beyond, provided stored under optimum conditions |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Maturation in Oak |
24 months in French Oak 80% in old (4-10 years of age) French oak Foudres (6000L) 10% in new French oak barriques (225L) 10% in second/third fill French oak barrique (225L) |
| Food Matches |
Roast or grilled lamb chops (or other richly flavoured cuts of red meat). Barbequed or ‘braai-ed’ aubergine topped with rich sun-dried and oregano tomato sauce is a great option for non-meat eaters. |
| Origin | Sondagskloof, Walker Bay near Hermanus |
| Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2019 De Toren Fusion V Magnum Gift Box
Regular price £104.99 Sale price £83.99 Save 20%The iconic Left Bank-based blend, De Toren Fusion V is meticulously crafted from Bordeaux’s ‘Noble Five’ varietals and, with its complex flavours of dark sour cherry, a spiciness of tobacco, and a hint of aniseed, it offers a stylish departure for sophisticated oenophilic tastes. This is a stunning expression of a superb vintage as well as terroir. Soft as spun silk, this is a wine that will only improve with age.
Tasting Notes
Nose
On the nose, a bouquet of ripe sweet red cherries, blueberries, sweet spice, and subtle nuances of oak prevail, accentuating the fruit. Seamlessly integrated and immensely elegant.
Palate
The taste profile of Fusion V 2019 is vibrant and moderately full-bodied. Fine-grained, yet polished tannins are present in this wine. The red cherry bouquet is unmistakable, leaving the 2019 vintage creamy, layered, and delightfully well-balanced for its age.
Producer
De Toren proprietors Emil and Sonette den Dulk left Johannesburg in 1991 to establish their vineyards in the Polkadraai Hills of Stellenbosch. Situated on southern-facing slopes overlooking False Bay De Toren enjoys the cooling effect of constant ocean breezes. Taking a holistic approach to keeping vineyard soils healthy and balanced viticulturalist Ernest Manuel employs sustainable farming practices throughout the property. Infrared Aerial Imaging is used extensively in order to monitor ripeness in various vineyard blocks and determine optimal picking times although actual harvesting and production are done almost entirely by hand. The winery is operated on gravity flow principles; a 4000 liter pressure tank in an elevator shaft (the Tower from which the winery takes its name) is cleverly used to exploit gravity in transporting wine between tanks and barrels without the use of mechanical pumps. As a result of De Toren’s innovative minimal intervention production methods their wines were among the first South African bottlings to qualify for IP (Integrated Production) certification by the Wine and Spirit Board.
The Den Dulks and winemaker Albie Koch seem to have found the key to success with their simple winemaking philosophy: gentle handling no pumps and minimum manipulation. Armed with this winning formula the boutique farm has quickly risen to the ranks of South Africa’s winemaking elite with their duo of dazzling stylish and complex five-varietal Bordeaux blends: the flagship Fusion V (which debuted in the 1999 vintage and has been hailed by Wine Spectator as a consistently polished outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend) and the Merlot-based Z introduced with the 2004 vintage.
Barrel Maturation
Aged in a climatized barrel/ maturation room (16 degrees Celsius at 80% humidity) for 12 months in approximately 50% new and 50% second fill, 225 Litre Oak barrels. French Oak is predominantly used during maturation, with a portion of the Malbec receiving the benefit of American Oak.
Accolades
- Tim Atken - UK (95 Points)
Specifications
| Year | 2019 |
| Bottle Size | 1.5cl Magnum |
| Cultivar | Cabernet Sauvignon 56.9%, Malbec 14.4%, Cabernet Franc 9.6%, Merlot 14.4%, Petit Verdot 4.7% |
| Country | South Africa |
|
Alcohol content
|
14.48% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 21.7 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Cellaring Potential | If stored in optimal conditions, this wine should last up to 20 years plus. |
| Food Matches |
With nuanced and complexed flavours, our renowned De Toren Fusion V wine pairs exceptionally well with perfectly tender grilled or roast lamb, with garlic, rosemary and a hint of honey lemon. For optimum enjoyment, decant at least one hour before consumption. It is recommended to serve this wine at optimal temperature (15 – 18 degrees Celcius). |
| Origin | Stellenbosch |
| Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2021 Dornier Cocoa Hill Ruby Red
Regular price £14.99
In a time of seafaring and spice, pirates played in Table Bay…
Among them was Long Ben – as fierce as he was tall,
he looted and pillaged and scavenged from all.
Ben fast became known for being up to no good,
and so fled from the seas and gave up his loot.
He planted some vines, as was the way,
and peered out towards the ocean almost every day.
Long Ben would have gazed longingly at the vista of Table Bay
from where our vines grow today, on Cocoa Hill.”
Among them was Long Ben – as fierce as he was tall,
he looted and pillaged and scavenged from all.
Ben fast became known for being up to no good,
and so fled from the seas and gave up his loot.
He planted some vines, as was the way,
and peered out towards the ocean almost every day.
Long Ben would have gazed longingly at the vista of Table Bay
from where our vines grow today, on Cocoa Hill.”
Tasting Notes
Aromas of raspberry, cherry and a hint of eucalyptus. The palate is full, fresh and lively with a subtle and well-balanced tannin structure.
History
Dornier is a family owned winery situated in The Golden Triangle area of the upper Blaauwklippen Valley Stellenbosch. The primary focus at Dornier lies in the production of premium quality wines with minimal intervention which are expressive of the unique terroir of The Golden Triangle whilst showcasing the complexity and finesse of the noble grape varieties planted at Dornier. Reverence for tradition is salient at Dornier as is difference where it leads to improvement.
Dornier Wine Estate is located on 3 different farms in the Upper Blaauwklippen Valley namely Groenkloof, Heldemeer and Stellenrust (Homestead) the latter of which includes a historic Sir Herbert Baker designed homestead and one of the first wine cellars ever built in Stellenbosch in the late 1600s.
Dornier proudly boasts an A rating with IPW (Integrity and Sustainability) given its ongoing efforts incorporated and devotion towards sustainable farming practises with integrity.
Dornier also holds an A Rating with WIETA - a pro-active world-class and sustainable ethical trade programme for the South African wine industry and aligned sectors. given its efforts incorporated and devotion towards facilitating fair working conditions and sustainable ethical trade within the wine industry and its aligned sectors.
Fermentation & Aging
All components of this blend were fermented separately in vineyard specific batches with pump-overs for colour and tannin extraction being performed five times daily. The wine was barrel matured for 12 months in French oak barrels and a small un-oaked component was used to provide a fresh and lively character.
Vintage Conditions
The vines are planted on our Groenkloof farm on the slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain. The soil is composed of coffee coloured decomposed granite. The vines get full sun which allows for optimum development of rich berry characters in the grapes.
Accolades
- 4.5 John Platter Stars
- TOP 100 SA Wines
- Veritas Silver Outstanding
Specifications
| Year | 2021 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar |
Merlot (34%), Shiraz (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (19%), Malbec (14%) and Petit Verdot (3%) |
| Country | South Africa |
|
Alcohol content
|
15% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11.3 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Cellaring Potential |
Up to 5 years |
| Food Matching | Braised oxtail, Boeuf bourguignon, charcuterie platter and smoked kudu Carpaccio. |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin | Stellenbosch |
| Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2021 Doña Paula Altitude Series 969
Regular price £23.59Its name derives from the average height of the selected parcels for this Blend.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Petit Verdot, Bonarda and Malbec compose this wine that has an intense violet color with black tint.
Nose
In the nose, Petit Verdot brings aromas of blueberries and jasmine while Bonarda adds intense aromas of blackberries and raspberries.
Palate
It stands out for its firm tannins and good volume in the mouth, Malbec offers an attractive structure and a long finish. 
Vineyards
In our Finca El Alto in Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, we chose the stoniest plots that have the presence of Calcium carbonate, to plant the Petit Verdot at 1030 meters above sea level. In the lowest part of the same vineyard, at about 908 meters of height we have Bonarda, it has the most clay dominate soil with gravel and pebbles. The yield per hectare is 7 to 10 tons, and the irrigation is by drip. The climate of this is farm characterized by its warm days and cool nights, with a thermal amplitude of 14 ° C and an average annual rainfall of 250 mm. The training system used is double cordon. At Doña Paula we have always managed our vineyards with sustainable farming practices.
Vinification
The harvest begins with Malbec at the end of March, then the Petit Verdot in the first week of April and Bonarda in the middle of the same month. A manual harvest and a destemming without breaking grains is carried out. Traditional elaboration of each variety is carried out separately we call it of minimal intervention in cement eggs. After the alcoholic fermentation, the blend is made to begin the short aging in the same cement egg and immediately after malolactic fermentation has finished, the wine is bottled to keep the fruity and floral aromas in their freshest possible state.
Awards
- 91 points - Robert Parker
- 92 points - Tim Atkins Argentia Report
Specifications
| Year | 2021 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar |
55% Petit Verdot, 40% Bonarda, 5% Malbec. |
| Country | Argentina |
|
|
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Suggested Serving Temp | Between 15°C and 18°C. |
| Food Matches | Perfect to enjoy special dishes, such as a rack of lamb with sautéed mushrooms, or a rib-eye steak with quinoa risotto. |
| Dietary Information | Gluten-Free, Vegan and Vegetarian approved |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Appellation |
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