Winemaker Notes
The elegant palate adds rhubarb to the fruit spectrum with a very attractive pink musk nuance emerging on the mid palate with a second layer of earth and dried herbs providing a savoury kick. The lively acidity is linear and focused and a real feature.
The tannins have good weight and build through the palate with a handsome presence on the long finish. The balance of lifted fruits, lively acidity and mineral tannins is a real feature and will put this wine in good stead as it ages well over the next 15 years.
Blend: 50% Grenache, 45% Shiraz, 5% Mourvedre
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Focused and vibrant, delivering a tightly packed mouthful of cherry, floral and mineral flavors. Remains cohesive and expressive through the long, vivid finish. Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2016.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.