Houghton C.W. Ferguson Cabernet Malbec 2020 - In Bond

Stuart McCloskey, 14 February 2025 “Aussie Cabernet and Malbec make perfect bedfellows – a blend that is exploited by some of the very best (Wendouree, Yarra Yering, Vasse Felix, Moss Wood, Jim Barry etc…). This requires a healthy amount of time in the decanter (3-4 hours). The perfume opens with iodine, nori, anise, violets, iron filings, blackcurrant, dried rose petals, fresh pencil shavings, a whisper of cedar and mint. I return after the wine has sat in my glass for an hour to a wonderous, heady oceanic spray intermixed with black olive tapenade. Brooding and wonderfully savoury. The palate is vibrant, chiselled and not heavy in any shape or form. Perhaps ‘balletic’ being the best description. This is supremely balanced, beautifully formed, and one of those ‘hard to put down wines’ as each sip tells a different story – the flavours roll on, as does the wine’s freshness. Lots of style and packed with class. It feels like a left-bank Bordeaux from a cool year and the polar opposite to the Jack Mann. As much as I like the wine today – this will reward those with patience. Another 5-to-10-years will be perfect. Served using Zalto Burgundy glass! I know it’s technically not the correct glass, but it drinks better from here, and that’s all that matters…"

98 Points - Halliday "Score awarded by the Halliday tasting panel at the annual Awards judging. Mike Bennie writes: From the plainly named Justin vineyard. A mellow, medium- to fuller-weight expression rippling with choc-raspberry, forest berry coulis, clove, dark chocolate, mint and eucalyptus. All nicely played, balanced and even. A potent flow on the palate, so inky and rich, and a chewy corset of silty, crushed rock tannins. It's a bold strike of cab malbec but finds judicious balance and a sense of vibrancy. It speaks fluently of quality fruit and the finesse of winemaking."