The Islander Estate Vineyards
Majestic Plough Malbec
Kangaroo Island, Fleurieu, South Australia, Australia
See several previous notes. My last of these Cuvées from Kangaroo Island South Australia and owned by the French Lurton family of Cheval Blanc fame. Savoury plum with earthy overtones. With air the aromas were almost intoxicating. Quite bold and full bodied on the palate - oak has integrated. Rich and spicy yet cleansing and moreish. Touch of camphor finishing with fine sandy tannins.
See several previous notes. My last of these Cuvées from Kangaroo Island South Australia and owned by the French Lurton family of Cheval Blanc fame. Savoury plum with earthy overtones. With air the aromas were almost intoxicating. Quite bold and full bodied on the palate - oak has integrated. Rich and spicy yet cleansing and moreish. Touch of camphor finishing with fine sandy tannins.
Aug 25th, 2022Impenetrable Colour - dense deep Ruby - opaque. Black fruits of blackberry and plums verging on pruney on the nose. A full bodied palate - rich and fleshy needing more complexity which will come with bottle age. Winery says drink to 2030. Try the next one in a few years. This winery on Kangaroo Island is owned by Jacques Lurton (Cheval Blanc and other wineries in South America). The winemaker is Yale Norris who is from Colorado. I think I incorrectly said Canadian in a previous note. Barb and I had a private tour of The Islander with Yale back in 2016. These grapes are fermented in upright square concrete vats where he does several pump overs of the skins - then matured for almost 2 years in French Oak in the next size up from a Barrique. At $35 great value for the time and effort that goes into this boutique production. Sadly ravaged in the bush fires earlier this year. Tasted another bottle 31 weeks later on December 30, 2020, with consistent notes - certain persistent tannins - went well with Porterhouse steaks at Paros. The BBQ worked a treat. Tasted a bottle 90 weeks later on 12th February 2022 with consistent notes. Balanced, full bodied and excellent. Went well with Home made meatballs - made by daughter Georgie home from Copenhagen after 3 years.
Impenetrable Colour - dense deep Ruby - opaque. Black fruits of blackberry and plums verging on pruney on the nose. A full bodied palate - rich and fleshy needing more complexity which will come with bottle age. Winery says drink to 2030. Try the next one in a few years. This winery on Kangaroo Island is owned by Jacques Lurton (Cheval Blanc and other wineries in South America). The winemaker is Yale Norris who is from Colorado. I think I incorrectly said Canadian in a previous note. Barb and I had a private tour of The Islander with Yale back in 2016. These grapes are fermented in upright square concrete vats where he does several pump overs of the skins - then matured for almost 2 years in French Oak in the next size up from a Barrique. At $35 great value for the time and effort that goes into this boutique production. Sadly ravaged in the bush fires earlier this year. Tasted another bottle 31 weeks later on December 30, 2020, with consistent notes - certain persistent tannins - went well with Porterhouse steaks at Paros. The BBQ worked a treat. Tasted a bottle 90 weeks later on 12th February 2022 with consistent notes. Balanced, full bodied and excellent. Went well with Home made meatballs - made by daughter Georgie home from Copenhagen after 3 years.
May 22nd, 20202012 Mac. Gorgeous fruit after it pushed the oak to the side. Spices and plums. Incredibly poised. Beautiful
2012 Mac. Gorgeous fruit after it pushed the oak to the side. Spices and plums. Incredibly poised. Beautiful
Jun 21st, 2015
Fab Malbec, liked it quite a bit. Smooth and tannin like, a regular Malbec ;)
Fab Malbec, liked it quite a bit. Smooth and tannin like, a regular Malbec ;)
Sep 14th, 2020Given blind and picked as 14' cool climate Malbec - not too far off. Actually pretty impressive, can't say I've ever seen a KI Malbec before, that's for sure
Given blind and picked as 14' cool climate Malbec - not too far off. Actually pretty impressive, can't say I've ever seen a KI Malbec before, that's for sure
Feb 2nd, 2017
Another from Kangaroo Island. Lacked a bit of finesse, but opened up after an hour or so.
Another from Kangaroo Island. Lacked a bit of finesse, but opened up after an hour or so.
Jul 30th, 2016