A few years ago I asked Warren Smith at Pyramids Road Wines, “Is there a good red wine in the district that I need to try?” Warren didn’t hesitate, he said, “Just Red Wines Tannat”. So I called into their cellar door and have been buying Tony Hassall’s Tannat ever since. This one comes from a warm long ripening vintage on the Granite Belt and it shows. Tony Hassall says this is the best Tannat he has made thus far. I’ve mentioned it here before but it bears repeating – Tannat is a variety that loves the Granite Belt, you just put it in the ground and watch it do it’s stuff!
There are two great Tannat wines I’m familiar with on The Granite Belt: Just Red Wines Tannat & Boireann Winery Tannat. There is another at Summit Estate but I’ve yet to try that one – it’s on my hit list for my visit this winter and I hope you’re listening CoronaVirus! The Boireann Winery Tannat usually requires a longer sleep than the Just Red Wines Tannat but this 2018 Tannat from Tony Hassall has somewhat blurred that distinction.
Matured in French oak, some new, some one year old for 9 months, this wine is a deep black in the glass spreading to a very deep inky purple at the edges. Some vanillin oak on the nose with lots of berry fruits followed by a little spice, tobacco and earth. For some reason all these scents, for me, segue into a little road tar. The palate is mouth filling with blackberries, mulberries, raspberries, sour cherries hints of vanilla, spice, ferrous and earthy/dusty tannins and a nice freshness to the acid. The wine delivers long and finishes with a sour savouriness that harbours a small hint of sweetness in it’s depths that is immensely enjoyable. This wine will have a long drinking window. Such a full bodied wine that doesn’t care in the least about GB elegance but delivers it’s own enigmatic style! While this wine is drinking well now, for my palate it needs at least another five years but will go well beyond that.
Tasted: Saturday 9th May, 2020 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $35
Suggested Drinking Window: 2022 to 2030
Winemaker: Tony Hassall and Michael Hassall
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