Tabali Roca Madre Malbec 2017

We’re ecstatic about Tabalí here at the ‘Fo. It’s the first time their wines have been in Australia (as far as we know). Their chardonnay was the initial attention grabber (trust me when I say that South America is doing some incredible stuff with chardy right now) but once we tasted the entire range, we were smitten. They have three main vineyards spanning the width of the narrow country of Chile. Talinay is their tiny coastal vineyard and the source of chardonnay and pinot noir that sits amongst the best in the world. Dom is in the Maipo Valley and a great location for elegant and cellarworthy cabernet. Finally there’s Río Hurtado, situated at 1600 metres as you head up the Andes. From this vineyard comes malbec, although made famous in Argentina, which sees some of the best bottlings from this plot in Chile. 

So here it is, what we’d consider Chile’s greatest malbec. The vineyard sits on the western side of the Andes at a ridiculous 1600 metres. Head east another 45km and you’re in Argentina. Most people are skiing at this altitude, not growing grapes. There’s only about a metre of soil sitting above volcanic rock, making for one of the most rare root systems in the wine world. This is insanely smooth wine (my exact tasting note was ‘sooooooo smooth’) with elegant refinement, lifted perfume and a gentle mouthfeel that makes it light on its feet whilst not betraying the complexity within. In the words of the winemaker, ‘this is mountain malbec, unique and very special.’ We couldn’t agree more.