97+ Points
"The 2021 Clarevale Cabernet Malbec is here today on the bench beside the 2018, and it is a nice thing to be able to compare the pair, so to speak. While the 2021 has the benefit of youth on its side, it isn’t just the vibrancy of it that makes me think this will be a superior wine in time. It has levity and grace in equal measure, and the oak regime—whatever the specifics of that are—appears to have been kinder and more sensitive to the fruit than the 2018. This is a bigger blend by a factor of two and half times, and it does feature a small amount of new oak. What we have here is a wine of clarity, finesse and abundant red fruits. These are buffered and complemented by shaved fennel, star anise, blood, rust, garden roses and petrichor. It is leafy and detailed and, really, an excellent wine. This is highly recommended for now and for the future. 3% Malbec. 13.3% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
– Erin Larkin (Wine Advocate)

97 Points
"Blackcurrant, aniseed and camphor, dried roses, tobacco, cedar. It’s medium-bodied, a whole heap of energy here, plenty of ferrous tannin, a whole lot of gummy chew and dried rose, redcurrant, raspberry, blonde tobacco savoury input, a bright orange tang to acidity lending freshness and a crisp feel, with a robust finish of superb length. Here we have it. It’s superb and feels like essence of Clare Valley. Kind of like Wendouree, albeit a little more pricey. Still, hats off. This is super cool and next level. Yes."
– Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

The Clarevale Co-operative is where Jim Barry’s winemaking journey began in 1947, as the Clare Valley’s first qualified winemaker. His work there would not only shape his own winemaking future, but also the direction of the region’s grape growing.

Jim Barry saw an industry beyond fortified wines and encouraged growers to plant Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Riesling by providing free rootlings. Leading by example, he planted his first vineyard to Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec in 1964, and his early wines were blends of these varieties. Two generations later, his foresight has allowed Sam and Tom Barry to produce this special wine, honouring his vision for the Clare Valley.

The two varieties do not always perform evenly and in some years this wine is not made at all, but in a good growing season, Clarevale Cabernet Malbec offers a magical experience.

The fruit is harvested from the elevated Spring Farm vineyard, which lies on the eastern corrugation of the Clare Valley region. Block 75 Cabernet Sauvignon and Block 81 Malbec are both planted on their own roots on sandy loams over slate.

This terroir leads to a muscular structure and a beautiful tension between fruit and tannin. The vinestock is renowned for producing fruit of deep colour and pronounced phenolics; this pre-phylloxera material is highly prized for its small berries and high grape skin to juice ratio.

Typically, the style comprises pristine blackcurrant fruit, a touch of bush garrigue, vigorously firm but ripe tannins and attractive maturation-derived dark chocolate notes. Like all claret styles, the finish is firm, but this is offset by buoyant and expressive dark berry fruits.