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Winemaking:
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Wine of Origin
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Elgin
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Harvest Date |
10th – 16th March 2016
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Analysis:
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Alcohol
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12.72% (13.0% on label)
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Residual Sugar
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1.10 g/l
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pH
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3.47
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TA
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5.5 g/l
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Winemaking and Tasting Notes:
The 2016 Paul Wallace Black Dog Malbec is the eighth vintage made
from grapes produced on our own farm, Wallovale Vineyards. It 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.
2016 was a fine vintage with no untoward heat spikes, bouts of rain
or unfavorable weather conditions. The three individual blocks that
comprise our Malbec plantings each have their own unique profile due
to different row direction and trellis systems. Each block was
harvested separately and only when it was felt that the grapes were
at optimal ripeness. Delivered in pristine condition to the cellar,
the grapes were tipped from their lug boxes into the destalker. Once
in the open fermenter they were 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 19
months in 225 lit French oak. A splash of Merlot has contributed to
a gentle, rounded finish. Bottling date: 2nd October 2017.
Much like the dog the wine is
dark in colour, well-muscled intense and full of character. The
Black Dog Malbec displays a deep velvet red core with some bright
garnet on the rim. An intriguing somewhat exotic nose conjures up
hints of blue berries, black berries, brambles, juicy red plums and
savoury rhubarb. The entry onto the palate is a satisfying
fruit-filled mouthful of both red and black fruits linked by a
thread of spice and held together with silky tannins. 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.
Awards:
• Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2018 Bronze
• IWSC 2018 Silver
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