Fromm's Malbec 2022 is an organic, estate-grown expression of one of New Zealand’s oldest Malbec plantings, dry-farmed on Marlborough hillsides planted in the 1990s. The 2022 grapes were hand harvested on April 9, then fermented with indigenous yeasts to preserve varietal integrity. After primary fermentation, the wine aged for eighteen months in French oak barrels, with less than ten percent new oak, to add structure without overshadowing fruit purity. Bottled unfiltered in February 2024, only 3,575 bottles were produced. It carries 13.8 % alcohol and under 1 g/L residual sugar. In the glass it shows a deep ruby core fading to violet. Aromas greet with loganberry, morello cherry, plum and nuances of damask rose. On the palate it feels dense and brooding, with dark berry layers, sacher-torte chocolate, firm yet velvety tannins and a fine vein of blackcurrant acidity weaving through. Oak and mineral subtleties add complexity, and the finish is long, smooth and intensely persistent. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees celcius; ideal with grilled lamb, game or aged cheeses; best enjoyed over the next decade or more.
