Brookfields Sun-Dried Malbec is made in a way similar to the great Amarone wines of Italy. It was hand-picked, and then sun-dried in trays in a shade house before being made into wine. The sun-drying enhances the sugar concentration, as well as the colour, aroma and flavours. The result is a wonderfully voluptuous, muscular mouthful of soft rounded dark fruits. A very popular wine for those looking for something bold and a bit different.
Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"On the nose these intense dark berry and spice aromas carry through onto the palate showcasing ripe Black plums, liquorice, berry jam on toast, cinnamon, dried spices and vanilla oak are all harmoniously integrated thus forming the 2021 ‘Sun-Dried’ Malbec. This wine has wonderful richness and depth due to the excellent grapes it was made from. It is Malbec on steroids and one of the best we have made."
5 Stars & 94/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, November 2022 (2021 Vintage)
"Richly fruited and opulent, the wine shows dark fruit intensity, vanillin oak, smoky bacon and cocoa notes on the nose, followed by a wonderfully weighted palate offering terrific power and persistency. Mouthfilling and plush, making it fabulously appealing. At its best: now to 2031."
Reviews for previous vintages below…
5 Stars Michael Cooper (2020 Vintage)
"Promoted as 'Malbec on steroids', the generous 2020 vintage was made from grapes sun-dried to concentrate their sugars and flavours, then matured in French and American oak casks. If you like your reds sturdy and well-rounded, this is for you. Dark and bold, it has deep, ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, blackcurrant notes, and a very harmonious, smooth finish. Drink now or cellar."
4 Stars Yvonne Lorkin, March 2020 (2018 Vintage)
"Peter Robertson, owner and winemaker of Brookfields is one of New Zealand’s most experienced winemakers, accumulating huge knowledge of techniques since beginning his career in 1974. Drying grapes in the sun prior to fermentation dates back to the early Greek and Italian times (like 6th century BC early!) Designed to concentrate the sugars and hence the body and complexity – it’s a method that lends itself to malbec magically! Thing black doris plums, boysenberry and cocoa characters, meaty textures and smooth, elastic tannins make for a very silky, succulent red wine that’ll win hearts at any occasion."