and blends from the 2004 vintage, and all were exceptional”. The pedigree of the regional expression has also been recognised in major wine shows, including the Royal Adelaide. “We’ve been a finalist in the Wines of Provenance class on numerous occasions”, says Greg Follett, winemaker at Lake Breeze Wines, “and this year we picked up the Provenance Prize for our Arthur’s Reserve”. Malbec, too, continues to shine. Several single-varietal examples have impressed for their ability to match vibrant colour with expressive fruit and structure, while maintaining freshness. One of my highest scores, in fact, went to a single-varietal Malbec. “Malbec is a bit like Goose in Top Gun – it’s the wingman to Cabernet, but over the last decade it’s really excelled as a stand-alone variety,” says Keelan. Thriving under warm days and cool nights, Malbec is prized by locals for its ability to deliver wines of penetrating colour and intoxicating perfume, though it demands extra care during heatwaves. According to the SA Winegrape Crush Survey 2025, “Malbec price increased by 8 per cent to $1,280 per tonne.” Beyond its classic reds of great longevity and value, Langhorne Creek is now drawing attention for its success with Mediterranean varieties. “At the 2025 Langhorne Creek Wine Show, trophy wins spanned both classic and emerging styles, from Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec through to fresh, expressive alternatives like Pecorino and Graciano”, says Sam Watkins, winemaker at Watkins Wines and Chair of the Langhorne Creek Winemakers Committee. “This breadth
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