James Halliday – "This flagship shiraz comes via hand-picked fruit, 100% whole bunches, wild fermented and
matured 10 months in 2 new French oak puncheons. While it's not a blockbuster, it is built to age. The
oak is overt, needing to settle, so it's somewhat smoky and meaty. Yet allowing it to breathe reveals a
core of dark fruit, all spicy and peppery, with textural, slightly drying tannins. It is savoury, complex
and will reward the patient drinker." Jane Faulkner
World Wine – “A release of elegance and power in the same breadth. An exercise of exacting viticulture and winemaking technique showcases once again an emerging icon of Australian wine.
The blend was 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Shiraz and 11% Cabernet Franc with the wine aged in a high proportion of new oak for 9 months before another 9 months in large format, older oak foudre. The aromatics on the nose have floral blackberry and plum in terms of fruit, but there are layers of secondary interest in terms of graphite, understated cedar and unsweetened liquorice.
The wine has soaked up the influence of new oak, it provides a glossy, lightly spiced backdrop for black fruits, earth and graphite to show themselves. Tannins are supple and fine yet give texture and polish; the finish has wonderful persistence with drying blackberry and liquorice swept up with lingering dry spice.”
97 points
Patrick Eckel, wine reviewer.com
February 2022
The Wine Front – Medium bodied, red and black fruits, five spice, a little liquorice and gum leaf. It’s a lovely thing to drink – refined and seamless – with light tannin, cool acidity, fresh spicy berries, and a cool finish tinged with caramel, sap and spice.
The Wine Front – This opens taut, savoury and complex but as it breathes the fruit seems sweeter and fuller. It seems serious and stern at first; generous to the point of deliciousness in time. That said, a healthy amount of spice and twig-like notes remain heightened throughout and its tannin never really lets go of the reins. In short, it’s a joyous Pinot Noir with substance. It works now and it will also work if you wait.
James Suckling – A beautifully fleshy, deep and plush delivery of pure blackberry and red-plum aromas and flavors. Deep flavors and some gentle grip at the finish. From organically grown grapes.
Wine Enthusiast – This vintage is quite different from the light, bright 2017 bottling. It's more complex and age worthy. The combo of old vines (some dating as far back as 1887), whole-bunch fermentation and the restrained use of oak lets the fruit and place shine. Brambly blueberries and blackberries burst from the glass along with distinctive spice, saddle leather, crushed roses, fennel seed, graphite and fistfuls of herbs. Medium in weight, there's focus on the palate, defined by fine, talc-like tannins, length and layers of flavor. Drink now–2030
James Suckling – Tight and chewy yet polished and beautiful. Medium to full body, a pretty core of fruit within the center palate and a flavorful finish. Better than 2015 and on the same level as the excellent 2014.
93-94 points James Suckling
Red wine, with its deep hues and multifaceted flavors, has been a cornerstone of many cultures for centuries. Made primarily from black grapes, the range of tastes and aromas these wines can exhibit is truly astounding, all thanks to varying grape varieties, fermentation processes, and aging techniques.
One of the most celebrated aspects of red wine is its ability to evolve in the bottle. Over time, flavors meld and mature, transforming a young, fruit-forward wine into a more nuanced, complex delight. This aging process, whether it takes place in oak barrels or in the bottle itself, gives enthusiasts the thrill of experiencing a wine's evolution.
Regions play a crucial role in defining the characteristics of red wines. The temperate climate of Bordeaux produces structured wines like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, while the sun-baked vineyards of Tuscany yield the Sangiovese grape, forming the backbone of the renowned Chianti.
Tannins, those compounds that can lend a puckering sensation to the mouth, are another signature feature of red wines. These natural preservatives are what allow some wines to be cellared for decades, emerging more refined and harmonious with age.
Beyond just being a beverage, red wine is a journey, a reflection of the land and climate, the grape variety, and the vision of the winemaker. It's a testament to nature's bounty and human innovation intertwined in every bottle.
Red wine is a type of wine made primarily from dark-colored (red or black) grape varieties. The actual color of the wine can range from intense violet, for young wines, to brick red for mature wines, and even brown for older red wines. The juice from most purple and red grapes is greenish-white; the red color comes from anthocyanin pigments present in the grape skins. The winemaking process involves fermenting grape juice in contact with its skins, allowing the liquid to extract color, flavors, and tannins from them. Red wines typically offer flavors of dark fruits like cherries, blackberries, and plums, often accompanied by notes of tobacco, leather, and spices, influenced by grape variety and aging techniques.
Red wine is produced globally, but certain regions have earned accolades for their signature reds. Bordeaux in France is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends. Burgundy, another French region, is celebrated for its world-class Pinot Noir. Italy's Tuscany region produces iconic wines like Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, primarily from the Sangiovese grape. Napa Valley in California is famed for its robust Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Spain's Rioja offers superb Tempranillo-based wines, and Australia's Barossa Valley is known for its bold Shiraz.
The world of red wine has several stars. Cabernet Sauvignon, known for its deep color and complexity, is globally recognized. Pinot Noir, with its delicate flavors and versatility, has a vast following. Merlot, Shiraz (or Syrah, depending on the region), and Zinfandel also hold significant positions in the market. Popular brands range from Bordeaux's Château Margaux, Burgundy's Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, to Napa's Opus One and Australia's Penfolds.
For those seeking excellent value, regions like Chile's Central Valley and Spain's La Mancha offer top-quality red wines at very accessible prices. Malbec from Argentina, particularly from the Mendoza region, consistently over-delivers in terms of quality to price ratio. South Africa's Western Cape and parts of southern Italy, like Puglia, are also treasure troves for value-driven, quality red wines.
Red wines, with their robust flavors and tannic structure, pair wonderfully with red meats. Think of a juicy steak with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or lamb chops with a Shiraz. Pinot Noir, being more delicate, pairs brilliantly with dishes like roasted chicken, duck, or salmon. Spaghetti Bolognese and other tomato-based pasta dishes go hand in hand with Italian reds like Chianti. For spicy barbecued dishes, a fruity Zinfandel or Grenache can be a match made in heaven. The key is to match the wine's intensity and flavors with those of the dish for a harmonious pairing.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.