2001 MANGAN

 
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Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot are three varieties that are particularly well suited to growing in the Margaret River winegrowing region. When blended together these varieties form a divine trinity creating a unique wine. The Malbec provides the fruit power and colour, the petit verdot the length and texture and the Merlot the structure. The fruit which made this wine came from a single vineyard in the Wilyabrup subregion of Margaret River belonging to Rick Cullen and Bettina Mangan. A wine with great drinkability and ageing potential.

Tasting notes Reviews
   

To our knowledge, this is the first time that, anywhere in the world, a wine has been made predominantly from a blend of Malbec (45%) and Petit Verdot (45%). The remaining 10% is Merlot. The fruit for this wine came entirely from the vineyard that is owned by Rick Cullen and Bettina Mangan and was planted in 1995.

This wine helps justify John Gladstone's claim that Petit Verdot is particularly well suited to Margaret River because this region is sufficiently warm to permit this fickle variety to achieve perfect ripeness. The Petit Verdot has provided attractive violet characters, good acidity and excellent clean fruit, while the Malbec has contributed complex rich and earthy aromas and flavours and the Merlot has added structure to the palate.

Each of the three varieties was vinified separately and then matured for eight months in oak before blending.

Colour: Amazing impenetrable deep mulberry
Bouquet: Attractive blend of mulberry, spice and savoury aromas
Palate: Powerful fruit fills out the whole of the middle palate of this very rich, luscious and unique wine
Cellaring: At least 15 years
Food: Strong meat dishes and cheeses
 

The Weekend Australian Magazine
 Max Allen, September 13 - 14, 2003

From a young vineyard right next to the Cullen family's original property in Margaret River, this stunning red wine - a blend of malbec, merlot and petit verdot - has extraordinary elegance, finesse and intensity. Not as seductively juicy as the 2001, but gorgeous all the same.