The Wine Society says it was with a view to offering members access to “hidden Australian gems at affordable prices,” that it developed the Blind Spot range in partnership with well-known winemaker Mac Forbes.
The wines are exclusive to The Society, and are generally small parcels of interesting wines, in this case featuring alternative varieties for Australia including Touriga Nacional, Carignan and Montepulciano. The range is comprised mostly of one-offs, so is available while stocks last with no guarantee of subsequent vintages of each wine. So perhaps use this as an overview or general guide based on three recent additions to the range, whether or not they are still available by the time you check The Wine Society’s list.
The Wines
(2021) Vibrant crimson in colour, there's a lightly vegetal character to cherry fruit, maybe a hint of tobacco in there. Sweet fruited on the palate, it is medium bodied and has good freshness thanks to the slightly prominent acidity and that little vegetal/herbal character. Straighforward, finishing with a chalky dryness and a typically Italiante bitter twist.
(2021) Crimson with a distinctly pink hue, this has a buouyant nose, lifted with confiture raspberry and plenty of floral and herbal nuances. It's 12.5% alcohol ensures it is light and energetic on the palate, and although there is plenty of ripeness and sweetness to the red and black berry fruits, a stripe of drying tannin and cherry-pit acidity gives savouriness to the finish.
(2021) Portugal's great grape transported to South Australia, and this really emphasises floral, violet and old roses perfume of the Touriga Nacional, some buoyant red fruits and a little cinammon spice too. In the mouth substantial and creamy, lots of ripeness and juiciness, but a black fruit gloss and weight. My favourite wine of this small sample, with some substance without weight, and the balance of sweet and supple fruit, tannin and acid is excellent.