Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro from the Barossa Valley. The blend percentages on the press release are at odds to the website (41/26/33). The latter at least adds to 100 so we'll go with that.
A blend coming off vines 80+ years old. A small portion of Shiraz and Grenache were co-fermented. Second, third and fourth use French and American oak were used for 18 months.
Swirl the glass and char, earth, game plus blue fruits put the moves on early. Quite rustic in the mouth, cherries, tar and raspberries have a dig too. Sift deeper to find dark chocolate, caramel and some savoury herbs. There's a dusty, raspy and grippy feel left in its wake where those earthy characters rise up once more. A spice rub lingers long, drying out slightly with red apple acidity clutching at the death.
It's a good drink but the price tag is a bit of a stretch. The flow and charm you'd expect for a wine pitched at $100 doesn't quite hit the mark for me even on the second day of tasting.
Drinking well now but it will kick on 8 years.
89/100
Region: Barossa
RRP: $100
Source: Sample
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