Not a bad wine and the kind conditions of the 2010 McLaren Vale vintage are evident but I can’t quite see my way to giving it a medal of any kind. Put it alongside a medium rare steak in the right company and you’ll do fine.
Plenty of vanilla custard oak which does sink into the wine with time. Sweet black jubey fruits and stewed plums, licorice strap, chocolate and brown spice. The acid feels forced and the tannin isn’t particularly textured or fine. Big on entry, plump in the middle then it trails away. In its favour? It avoids dead fruit and it doesn’t feel flat. Simple pleasures I suppose. 87 Average
Region: McLaren Vale
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $17
Tasted: November 2012