REVIEW

Very dark, deep, near-impenetrable black-hued purple-red colour, a little lighter on the rim. This has a full, deep and densely-packed nose with ripe blackberry and dark-red berry fruits along with black ink and iron-earth complexities, unfolding black plum notes with subtle spice elements, black pepper and exotic, nutty oak. Medium-full bodied, the palate is rich with vibrant and concentrated, deeply packed flavours of black berried fruits, black plums, earth and inky notes, along with spice and oak flavours. The flavours unfold in multi-dimensional layers to fill the mouth, and follow a fine-grained line with considerable flowery, tannin extraction. The wine has acid freshness, energy and vigour, and carries to a powerful, deep, lingering finish of black fruits, earth, ink and spice. This is a rich, fulsome and densely concentrated Merlot-based blend with black fruits, earth and inky notes and complexing spice elements on a well-extracted, fine-grained, fresh palate. Match with slow cooked game meat dishes, casseroles and hard cheeses over the next 10+ years. A blend of 50% Merlot, 33% Syrah and 17% Malbec from the ‘Jomara’ vineyard, hand-picked and fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine spending 5-6 weeks on skins, and aged 9 months in 83% new ‘Alain Fouquet’ French oak. 6 barrels made. 19.0+/20 May 2017 RRP $138.00