(2023) A GSM blend from the Barossa, which enjoyed similar hot and dry conditions to the Eden Valley. A little more earthy and subdued than the Balthasar aromatically, but there is a jammy ripeness of fruit and a balancing touch of leather in there. Bold and savoury, there's plenty of juicy acidity and nicely plummy, roughening tannins, that give an edge to the sweet and plump fruit that build on the mid-palate.
(2023) Sourced predominantly from the Corryton Park vineyard, a Cabernet that opens with herbaceous, olive and eucalypt notes, a hint of stalkiness to the savoury black fruit. On the palate the sweetness and plump, juicy ripeness of the black fruit does come through, as well as creamy and chocolaty tannins and pert acidity. But the balance with those greener aspects is not quite there in the end. Price and stockist quoted at time of review are for a previous vintage.
(2023) Another GSM, this time from the Barossa. Quite meaty and leathery, lots of meat-stock character and dark, brooding fruit. Warm and generous on the palate, a weight of savoury dark fruit, spices and a touch of sizzling bacon fat. So much sweetness of ripe fruit here, flooding the palate with flavour and texture. Big, chunky and chocolaty tannins and juicy cherry acids in a large-scaled and relatively forward style, giving lots of hedonistic pleasure. Price and stockist quoted are for the previous vintage at time of review.
(2023) Once again a library vintage to taste, though this one is available at time of review for £55.00 per bottle. Golden yellow, with nutty, apricot, and all sorts of exotic seed and waxy herb nuances. Stunning fruit quality, so much golden nuttiness yet brilliance. Arguably wine of the tasting.
(2022) From the Northern Grounds on sand and clay, we are 65km from the coast and at an altitude of 280-285 meteres. Vines range in age from 24 to 60 years. The wine was fermented with indigenous yeast in French oak vats, then aged in puncheons for 15 months (only 8% new). Again, a 2018 wine shows a little softer in colour. Lots of lift here, violet and cherry notes, the florals and light pepper quite striking. On the palate relatively light-bodied compared to some here, lots of acidity giving freshness and bite, cherry skins and a twist of liquorice. A different take again, a Seville orange twist to the acidity giving this a bittersweet tang into the savoury finish. The only UK stockist I can see at time of review is for an earlier vintage.
