Wendouree has some of the oldest vines in Australia. The oldest being 124 years old! The 2014 Shiraz Malbec is produced from Shiraz and Malbec plantings from 1919 and 1920. The vines were grafted from the original James Busby collection held in Adelaide's Botanical Gardens (Busby is considered the father of the Australian wine industry, bringing the first vine stock to Australia from Spain and France). Wendouree has 28 acres of vines, all dry grown (meaning that they are not irrigated). When you're talking iconic wines, you can't really go past these guys. 

Attention and limelight to winemakers Tony & Lita Brady is like sun light is to vampires. OK not so drastic, but they really do go to great lengths to avoid it. They actively shun reviews and encourage writers to not write about their wines. There is no cellar door, no website, no distribution network, marketing, sales people, not even an email address. If you want to get their wines, you'll need to call or write a letter. Yes, snail mail! Whilst they may be considered traditionalist in selling their wines, their winemaking has certainly evolved over the years. The tannins are no longer as brutal and dry as they used to be, whilst still made for ageing, they are far more approachable than what they used to be 15 years ago!

Tastes Like?

It feels somewhat disrespectful to reveal the secrets of these wines against the wishes of the winemakers. But I can tell you, this is probably their most approachable blend. Chocolatey notes with a hint of vanilla. Voluptuous soft tannins and certainly will reward cellaring for med-long term.