McLaren Vale 14.5% Screwcap $34 Source- Retail
A blend of 91% Sagrantino (a grape which most suggest is indigenous to Umbria, Italy) with a little Cinsualt to soften the former’s tannins. I really do applaud the exploration of alternative varieties in Australia but I’m not so sure many people are going to fork out $34 to try this, which is a shame. But hey, I may be wrong.It’s a good, savoury wine with plenty of interest. Raspberries, miscellaneous dried herbs, tea leaf, cherry pips and some serious tannic grunt. Leather and spice chime in subtly, along with mocha characters. It continued to improve in the decanter over a day and I’d like to whack some in the cellar to see how it develops.
It’s got length, layers and character and it works even better with food. As such it ticks a lot of my boxes.
ps- It seems this has sold out direct from the winery and another source informs me it’s $25 RRP. So it turns out I payed more than I could have and people are more willing to experiment than I thought. In this case I’m happy to be wrong.
Winery website- http://www.darenberg.com.au/