Barossa 15.0% Screwcap $28 Source: Sample
I had a joke with Andrew Graham about the name of this wine. I presume it will replace the 2008 GSM in Smallfry’s range but it includes a little Carignan & Cinsault. Why not call it a GSMCC? AG thought that sounded more like a English cricket club, and he has a point.
Actually, I like the simplicity of the name. We do sometimes get hung up on varieties in Australia. And blends still suffer some sort of undeserved stigma, as if other grapes were added to cover shortcomings rather than to enhance flavour, texture and complexity. Anyway, this is a good example of why you should give wines that aren’t single vaieties more thought. It’s the clever blending which creates a belter of a wine. In the spirit of that, I won’t try and decipher what each grape is adding. For me, it’s how it tastes and feels as a whole that makes it so compelling.
It’s structured well with bright and lively acidity and some good, albeit unobtrusive, tannin. The fruit flavours fall into the (red) jubey spectrum, serving to enhance the sense of freshness. Some confected notes, yes, but never too sweet. Meatier and earthen aspects help as well. Then there is the spice. Whoa Nelly, there’s fair bit of it here and I love it. Quite peppery but more than that – spicy will suffice as a descriptor. Length and intensity are fantastic and it handles its alcohol better than the Rat Pack.
I’ll be grabbing some more of this. It’s delicious stuff.
Winery Website- https://www.smallfrywines.com.au/