BROOKFIELDS SUN-DRIED MALBEC 2023

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 (2023 Vintage)
"Concentrated and dark, the 2023 Sun – Dried Malbec exhibits Black Doris plum, boysenberry, cinnamon, spice and French oak. Sun drying of grapes traces back to the 5th century BC. The hand picking, sun drying, and small batch wine making have all contributed to this amazing wine. It is Malbec on steroids."

5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, October 2024 (2023 Vintage)
"Sweetly ripe and perfumed, showing blackcurrant, warm spice, dried flower and roasted hazelnut characters on the nose, leading to a wonderfully weighted palate offering plump mouthfeel and plush texture. Generous and opulent with a lengthy, delectable finish. At its best: now to 2030."

Reviews for previous vintages below…

4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper (2022 Vintage)
"Promoted as 'Malbec on steroids', the deeply coloured 2022 vintage was made from grapes sun-dried to concentrate their sugars and flavours, then matured in French oak barrels. Less super-charged than some past releases, it is still highly appealing. Mouthfilling, it has generous plum and blackcurrant flavours, fresh acidity, good tannin backbone, and excellent complexity and harmony. An ageworthy red, it should be at its best 2025+."

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."