A blend of fruit from a vineyard on Hermitage Road and Briar Ridge's famed Dairy Hill vineyard (15%), the fruit was hand-picked and 10% whole bunches were used. Pressed to third and fourth use French oak for 10 months, it's quite an earthy and twiggy wine. Scents of rose petals and red fruits dipped in dark chocolate get you in the mood with a smattering of black pepper. Tense through the mid-palate, it's long as fine spices chase the finish. It doesn't have the finesse nor as much depth as I would have hoped but it's a respectable wine I must say. Finishing with slippery, silty-like tannins, have it with slow cooked ribs, steak over the coals or a mushroom risotto.
Drink to five years.
90/100
Region: Hunter Valley
RRP: $43
Source: Sample
Source: Sample