2. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
KEY GRAPE VARIETIES - MALBEC
Originally one of the minor
blending varieties of Bordeaux,
and the main variety in Cahors
Warmer climate: thicker skin →
high acidity and tannins
Cooler climate: thinner skins →
lighter, juicier
Malbec is a very heavy red and
it takes to new oak very well
Associated flavours include
plums, currants, dark cherries
and raspberries
3. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
CHÂTEAU DU CÈDRE 2010
Château du Cèdre has become a role model for all of Cahors'
brightest young winemakers
90% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 5% Tannat
20 to 50 years old vineyards
–
Stony clay and limestone for fine tannins;
clay, sand and pebbles for more powerful
and dense wine
Altitude under 300 m
Lovely sweet, ripe fruit concentration with a lick of
chocolate and espresso and hint of Malbec violets.
Smooth and deep on the palate, it has real
freshness and a hint of mineral saltiness, though
that smoothing weight of ripe fruit and supple
supporting oak is nicely set against ripe tannins.
Have it with red meat, veal, game
4. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
TERROIR & CLIMATE
In the top 10 wine producers (by
volume) in the world
Vines planted by Spanish
colonisers in the mid 16th century
Semi-desert landscapes, very dry
and hot climate
Vineyards at high altitude (as
high as 3,000m)
High diurnal temperature
variation
5. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
IMPORTANT REGIONS
Mendoza
Responsible for over half of the
entire wine production of
South America
Sub regions: Lujan de Cuyo,
Uco Valley, San Rafael
Neuquen and Rio Negro
The nucleus of the Argentine
wine industry
One of the world's least
obvious places for quality
viticulture
Mostly flat and is Argentina's
coolest wine region
Salta, San Juan and La Rioja
6. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
CATENA “HAWKSMOOR MALBEC”
BLEND NO. 7 2011
If Mendoza had a Royal Family it would be the Catena Zapata
dynasty
85% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5%
Cabernet Franc
60 years old vineyards
–
La Piramide, Adrianna, Nicasia, Angelica Sur
(Mendoza)
Altitude from 920 m up to 1450 m
Lovely blackberry and blackcurrant aromas, some
very well integrated tannin, a refreshing acidity and
a great, elegant structure with subtle notes of
vanilla on the finish.
Matches our steaks perfectly, especially the Rib-eye
7. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
LUIGI BOSCA FINCA LOS NOBLES 2009
A wine that pays tribute to the terroir where the grapes come
from
Malbec (predominant) and Petit Verdot (mixed at
the vineyard)
90 years old vineyards
–
Finca Los Nobles, Las Compuertas (Lujan de
Cuyo)
Altitude 1,050 m
Lovely vivid spicy nose with hints of coffee, cherry
and violet. The palate is concentrated and bold,
achieves vanilla aromas after ageing 24 months in
new French oak casks and 14 months in bottles.
Balanced and complex. Velvety finish in the mouth
A good match with braised meat, game, pork, lamb,
hard cheeses
8. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
J. ALBERTO 2012
Famous for it's pears & apples productions, in Rio Negro,
Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano makes wine
95% Malbec, 5% Merlot
Vines planted in 1955
–
–
Original rootstocks, irrigated up to four times
a year.
Vineyard is certified Organic and Biodynamic
Altitude 250 m
Cloudy, dark raspberry colour; hibiscus, floral,
strawberry nose with a match on the palate. It's
bright and lush, elegant with zesty fruit, it's a malbec
of refinement rather than weight with fresh tannins.
Match with poultry or game but also with the
meatier type of fish
9. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
“A great Malbec should impress
through its attractive and deep
purple colour, its intense black
fruit aromas with a hint of oak,
and its sweet mouthfeel, soft as
the bottom of a newborn baby...”
- Robert Mondavi when he visited the
Trapiche winery in 1994 -