Grown on both the Clarendon vineyard and the Gateway vineyard, both in McLaren Vale. Clarendon is a more elevated vineyard in McLaren Vale terms; Gateway heads for the coast. It sees 20% whole bunches and 40% new oak. All oak employed is French.
Finesse, a flutter of tannin, flavour. This is a measured wine, exact, its roasted cherry-plum flavours picked out – as if via torchlight – by notes of saltbush and mocha. Traces of undergrowth, perhaps even game. Noticeable acidity. Creamy texture. And that tannin: it’s ultra-fine, and persuasive. 94pts.
