Jim Barry Clarevale Cabernet Malbec 2018

This is an exquisite take on a heavily localized interpretation of luncheon claret. Mid-weighted, gently extracted and dangerously drinkable, effortlessly quenching the thirst without any anodyne stray into the soupy zone of the cool cats. In other words, the fruit is savory and expressive and the tannins are beautifully compressed, caressing notes of red currant, graphite, tea tree, blue gum and violet. The mid-palate, inky-iodine and plump. The finish, sophisticated and sinewy in the best sense. A wine that makes me realize how beautiful things once were before the call of bombast globalism and wines that so often, no matter where one goes, taste the same. Celebrate the difference! This is nigh on a perfect wine, if poise, soul, affordability and drinkability alone were the determining factors. JS