Corymbia Tempranillo Malbec blend defies expectations again
What a roll Rob and Gen Mann are on with their Corymbia wines!
Their Swan Valley Chenin Blanc has been described as “the next big thing” by Mike Bennie of The Wine Front. The second edition of their Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon sold out once again within six months, following a rollicking 97-point review from Halliday Wine Companion. And now the new-release follow-up to their 95-point 2018 red blend – itself successor to the WA Good Food Guide Wine of the Year – has garnered another 95-point review straight out of the blocks. And, just as we went to print, Gary Walsh chimed in on the ’19 red, calling it: “Distinctive and wonderfully regional. Excellent.”
Of course, it’s not about points – though as an emerging name, Corymbia has to earn its stripes in media land as well as winning over sommeliers and wine-lovers. Rob and Gen have done a fine job of that, too, with smart winemaking that wrings every drop of class, charm and refreshment from great WA winemaking tradition.
2019 Corymbia Chenin Blanc $32
It’s gently spiced with pepper and cinnamon quills. It’s floral with some fresh herbs, poached apple, bees wax and refreshing lemon barley water flavours. The palate is altogether racier, almost Riesling-like acidity keeping this long and pure with the right amount of phenolics adding that extra layer.
95 points. Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion 2021
2019 Corymbia Tempranillo Malbec $43
Both varieties harvested together, hand sorted, wild-yeast fermented followed by 10 months in seasoned oak. Tony ‘Rocket’ Mann (Australian Test Cricketer, among other things) was Rob’s dad, and this vineyard is outside the family home in Upper Swan. ‘Engaging’ is an understatement. This is classically structured with dense, chewy tannins that ensconce the ripe and frankly seductive fruit in a blanket of texture. The wine is earthy, layered, glossy and succulent – what an amalgam of emotion and sensation. Yes.
95 points. Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion
Ripe raspberry, blueberry, liquorice, spicy biscuits and some pretty floral notes. It’s dense and chewy in tannin with a ferrous feel to it, deep and rolling, but still fresh with a bright raspberry/pomegranate tang, and some distinctly umami/seaweed flavours in the mix. Finish is long and savoury, with a slick of crushed rock tannin to close. Distinctive and wonderfully regional. Excellent.
94 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front