Get to know the brains behind Yelland & Papps, Michael and Susan, and you'll soon come to realise their love of all things French. Their approach to winemaking reflects this and makes them quite an outlier in the Barossa Valley - even more reason to get to know this brand.
Be it Shiraz, Grenache and Roussanne to name a few, their handling, intent to build interest and a textural medium-bodied frame are exceptional.
This is the eleventh release I have seen of this wine and this 2023 from a cooler year is easily the best.
From a single vineyard planted in 1988 just to the north of Greenock, this patch has been farmed by the Materne family for four generations. It sees a seasoned 3000L French oak vat and puncheons (10% new) for 19 months prior to bottling (unfiltered).
What a start! Dried violets and purple flowers, baked blueberries and mulberries - the opening is fragrant and oh-so inviting.
The shape and weight are guided by the 13.6% alcohol and the flow it delivers is blisteringly good. Davidson plums, blue and purple fruits mingle with melted chocolate, black earth, twigs and floral tea. Juicy and devilishly moreish, it moves and sways about with supreme ease. The longer it sits, the more detail comes to the fore. Char, pan juices and cola cling to a captivating finish brushed with delicate spices. A long, moreish length oozes class. Brilliant stuff.
Drink to ten years+
95/100
Region: Barossa
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