There’s not too many straight Malbec bottlings to come from the Yarra. Liv Zak (Olivia Zak-Magdziarz) is the daughter of the owners of Warramunda Estate and the eponymous label lives as  a daughter to from those of the estate. Winemaker is Brendan Hawker.

Liv Zak, Malbec, Yarra Valley, 2018

Crushed blackberry fruit with distinct leafy edges, plenty of baking spices and peel with blocks of cooking chocolate. A full palate with reticent dark fruit and raisin tea cake under a drying blanket of firm, velvety tannin that goes on and on.  Intense and unique.

RRP: $35
Alc: 13.5%
Rating: 17/20

Wine sample courtesy of Liv Zak