Margaret River 14.0% Screwcap $30 Source: Sample
I’m informed that Stuart Pym has been making the wines at Stella Bella for the last couple of years and that Janice McDonald will still be part of the process, as she has been in the past, despite her taking over the reigns at Deep Woods.
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this blend. It tastes Sangiovese dominant but the sour cherries and tart flavours are balanced well by sweeter, dark Cabernet elements towards the end. Tannins seem to be a hybrid too – chewy & linear if that makes sense. The affinity of the grapes in the right hands is clear.
There’s some scorched almonds, drinking chocolate & a slight earthen/leathery aspect to it too. Lots of interest & good length. It ticks all the boxes that we wine drinkers have created to allow us to classify a wine as good or not good. How handy. “The [Vinous] Order of Things” – that’s a book that will take me a long time to write and won’t be read by many. Still needs to be written though.
Winery Website- http://www.stellabella.com.au/