Outstanding. Medium bodied and drawn long with incredibly fine, firm, graphite-laced tannins. Wow factor stuff, each sip a reset of the palate, so beautifully poised and refreshing. Flamboyant wood smoke and sandalwood scents, a bit too much of the seasoning here, but underlying dark cherry, paprika, hazelnut and pepper. The palate similarly finds these characters, cherry, paprika, smoky spice, nuttiness, and woven so beautifully together. JH
A sturdy, full-weighted grenache that is far from the pinot-esque zeitgeist found in McLaren Vale. Here, more brawn, dark spice and tannic sinew. More Rhone-like, as effete as the comparison may be. In fact, it is the courageous tannins that build across a scape of kirsch, damson, dried sage, anise, and pickled orange zest, that serve as the wine's opus. A scruff of whole-bunch thyme and tapenade to conclude.
Here, there are firm but sinuous tannins. A briny nose, demur yet brimming with intent. Dried black olive, pithy and chewy. Iodine, darker fruits, charcuterie, pimento and white pepper, ground across a long skein of freshness, melding with the ferrous and almost gritty salt-crusted tannins. Reminiscent of a good Cornas, this is fine, savory, mid-weighted syrah. JS