Coloured like black cherries in the depths with a mixture of lighter cherries influenced wit some purplish hues at the edges. Red cherries, black cherries, other blackly coloured fruits and a little cola leap from the glass in a fragrant and evocative effusion that I challenge any tempranillo lover to resist. There is a little leather and also a mostly savoury conjoined slight sweetness in the bouquet which is likely a redolent interplay of fruit and stalks and it heralds a sumptuous palatal expression.
Black and red cherries burst through a slight viscosity and lash your palate with unbridled zeal, an almost lolly succulence preludes a lovely savoury juiciness, the acid is fresh and energetic, cloves and black pepper spice open the palate further and very fine silky/lush tannins provide a foundational underpinning which expresses in the late palate and causing a little drying lip smacking appreciation, very late there is a little slightly sour rind quality.
This and the Mourvedre are often my favourite red wines in the Golden Grove stable and with the one caveat that I didn’t get to taste the 2012 Vintage Grand Reserve tempranillo I vote this one as the best tempranillo to emerge from Golden Grove so far. The tannins in the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes have been excellent but in this case I believe the drought vintage has worked some magic with the stalks, so will be interesting to try some more whole bunch 2019 wines.
Although minimal oak the style of this wine is perhaps pushing the boundaries of “Joven” but we should effusively embrace that push with gratitude for the enjoyment it offers as this is an exceptional tempranillo.
A wine that is a masterful explication of whole bunch Granite Belt Tempranillo, drink it this winter with hearty meals and your own heart will soar.
Tasted: Saturday 29th May, 2021 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 13.4%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $35
Suggested Drinking Window: now to 2025
Winemaker: Ray Costanzo
Fruit Source: Estate
Whole Bunch: 21%
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