Winemaking
Wine of Origin
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Elgin
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Harvest Date |
13 - 19 March 2020 |
Bottling Date |
22 August 2022 |
Bottles |
6600 |
Analysis
Alcohol |
13.99% |
Residual Sugar |
1.4 g/l |
pH |
3.52 |
TA |
5.4 g/l
|
Winemaking and Tasting Notes
The 2020 Paul Wallace Black Dog Malbec is the eleventh
vintage made from grapes produced on our own farm, Wallovale
Vineyards. It is named after Jake, Paul’s beefy black shadow, a
cross Labrador/Rottweiler, who was a puppy when we bought the farm
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 our Malbec plantings
each have their own unique profile due to different row direction
and training systems. The three blocks were harvested and vinified
separately, each contributing its own unique building block. Left on
the skins for post fermentation maceration before being transferred
into 225 and 300 lit 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.
Released in March 2024.
Awards • Not entered
into any competitions yet
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