Winemaking:

Analysis:

  
Winemaking and Tasting Notes:
   
The 2011 Paul Wallace Black Dog Malbec is the fourth vintage made from grapes produced on our own farm, Wallovale Vineyards. It is only commercial Malbec from the Elgin region and is named after Paul’s beefy black shadow, our cross Labrador/Rottweiler, named Jake. The Malbec grape is also known as the Black Grape and it is this characteristic that has been incorporated into the name.
 
The grapes were picked and destalked into an open fermenter and inoculated with WE372 yeast. The wine received three punch downs per day, was pressed after two weeks on the skins and taken almost immediately to barrel. Malolactic fermentation occurred in barrel. The wine spent approximately 24 months in 225 lit French oak prior to bottling on 12th June 2014.
 
Much like the dog the wine is dark in colour, well-muscled intense and full of character. The Black Dog Malbec displays an inky core with some bright garnet on the rim. An intriguing somewhat exotic nose conjures up hints of blue berries, black berries, brambles and redcurrants. The entry onto the palate is a satisfying mouthful of dark fruits and spice, with firm yet silky tannins, herbal notes, a hint of hazelnuts and some violets on the back palate. The Black Dog Malbec is a truly memorable wine which displays all the natural elegance we have come to expect from the Elgin region.
 
The ideal accompaniment to red meat dishes, a tender steak or sit in front of a fire, sip slowly and dip into a bowl of pistachio nuts.