Malleea is an Aboriginal term meaning ‘green paddock’, chosen by Majella as representing the lush pastures and vineyards of the limestone coast region. This is a Cabernet Shiraz blend, only made with the vintages awarding the team with the perfect wines. Like all Majella’s reds, this wine only comes together as a blend in the final stages before bottling. Fermentation is in a variety of vessels, including some new French oak, and maturation is for 18 months before assemblage begins. Usually just Cabernet-dominant, this is a classic Australian claret blend, and a benchmark style at that.
2021
“Opaque maroon, there is power and richness here, as well as finesse, balance and elegance. The nose gives us a range of aromas including blackcurrants, dark fruits, plums, chocolate, cassis, dry herbs and kirsch. There is beautifully integrated oak here, with vanillin and biscuity notes, and decent to very good length, with a supple texture, through to satiny tannins. The intensity is maintained throughout. Enjoy this over the next twelve to fifteen years.” 95 points, Wine Pilot
2018
“Leads with bramble and cocoa, with charry oak and dark fruit in profusion, alongside Christmas spice cake, cinnamon cassia, mint and dark cherry, licorice, raspberry and red apple. The wine is fresh, albeit full-bodied, but one thing is for sure: the wine benefits from its delayed release. The oak is present but integrated, the vintage is clear in its ripe balance, and the fruit has not moved from its primary position. Very impressive. Old school, good school.” 94 points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
95 Points, Campbell Mattinson, Halliday Wine Companion
95 Points, Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
Langtons Classified 8th Edition
2017
“55/45% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz. Vines on average 50 years old. Matured for 18 months in new French oak. This is super-fine, elegant, concentrated and restrained, all at once. The most successful cabernet shiraz blends have discernible features from both varieties; each dovetailed into the grooves of the other. This is a synchronised ebb and flow of flavour; a seesaw between the mouth-filling softness of shiraz, and the structured poise of the cabernet. Seamless and quite beautiful.” 96 Points, Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion
95 Points, Stuart Knox, The Real Review
Langtons Classified 8th Edition