Metala Shiraz Shiraz 2022
G 92
Sweet pops of ripe blackberry and new leather lead the charge before black pepper and nutmeg emerge to round things out. The palate has an equally ripe and open- knit feel. Juicy blackberry and mulberry jam make way for leather, pepper, baking spices and mocha before fine-boned tannins kick in, along with peppery acidity. Good length and freshness through the finish. A lovely balanced and spicy Shiraz punching above its $20 price point. Drink now–2028 Vineyard Road Shiraz Shiraz 2016 G 92 Dusty and deep on first smell in a decidedly savoury affair. Tobacco leaf, charcoal, plum jam, pan juices, mushroom sauce. On the palate, there’s plum jam and prune before leather, mushroom ragu and tobacco again. Quite youthful structure with stacked, grainy tannins gripping at the mouth and a wash of plummy acid through the finish. Certainly, a ripe and full style, though age has seen it develop savoury and heady appeal, primed for consumption with a hearty slow-cooked ragu. Drink now–2024 Bleasdale Generations Malbec Malbec 2023 G 91 Restrained dark fruit defines the aromatic opening. Blackberry, nutmeg, dried violets, and dark plum with a whisper of clove drawing you into the glass. The palate is similarly restrained, with blackberry and violet at the fore, and dark plum and spice in support. A firm stack of chalky tannins frames the finish, along with a nice slice of juicy blackberry acidity. Nice texture here, and an elegant feel, if not the most concentrated of expressions. Drink now–2027 Bremerton Old Adam Shiraz Shiraz 2021 G 91 This is quite ripe and not shy of oak. Burnt caramel and cedar at the fore, followed by sweet notes of sticky date pudding, plum sauce and brown spice, with meaty pan juices and tilled earth in tow. The palate is open-knit, fulsome and bold, with prune, plum, cedar and chocolate saturating the palate before powdery tannins and quite brisk plum acidity pull into line and cleanse the mouth. Quite juicy through the finish with some residual oak chew. A full-bodied, rich and opulent style. Drink 2026–2030 Cooke Brothers Wine Mataro Rosé Rosé 2022 G 91 Mataro is what classic Southern French Rosé is all about, so it makes sense to tap into that tradition from a southern maritime region. Pale pink, more savoury than many, peppery, faint suggestions of charcuterie, though a Pink Lady apple flavour lingers in the background. Textural, with a pithiness and grip that confirms this is a Rosé for the table surrounded by well flavoured dishes and, dare we say it, more serious red wine drinkers. Drink now–2027
South Australia 2024
233
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