Malbec was one of the first varieties Jim Barry encouraged in the region, believing it could play a major role in Clare Valley’s red wine future.

While it often plays a supporting role in blends, Block 81 has always been unique, with a personality so bold that, in exceptional vintages, the Malbec stands alone as a single-variety wine.

Located in the southeast corner of Spring Farm, Block 81 is a site that consistently produces small, concentrated berries—perfect for crafting a wine with depth and structure. In 2021, this vineyard gave us just 600 litres of an inky, chewy Malbec that captures everything Jim Barry saw in the grape decades ago.

This is a rare and exciting glimpse into the variety’s potential in Clare Valley, and a clear benchmark for varietal Malbec in Australia.