Made with local GI fruit and from the excellent 2018 vintage. Mark’s genes are South African but I suspect his long exposure to The Granite Belt has influenced his epigenetic material, whatever the reason he makes wines that are marvellously suited to Queensland conditions and this one epitomises that skill.
Soft and radiantly reflective in the glass the wine glints and glows dark and lighter red hues that glisten with energetic life which is dampened only a little as it morphs into a pink rose petal at the very edge of the meniscus. A lifted bouquet contains mainly red with some black berries, some cured sausage meat, hints of milk chocolate and a gently wafting combination spiciness that offers cloves and cardamon with some white pepper.
This medium bodied wine is simultaneously elegant and complex in palatal presentation. Red cherries are boisterously forward with only hints of black fruits, there is a dominant savouriness, some kalamata olives and a spicy cardamon white pepper conjoining, the mouthfeel is gentle and smooth the trademark granite belt mineral base is there and the finish has a little drying tannin with some lovely fruit succulence. Structure, balance and an almost shy complexity hallmark this wine. It is perfectly pitched for our autumn weather, I’m not sure of the release date but we should all be hoping it’s tomorrow. The wine is lovely drinking right now in our current weather conditions but it will cellar for the next 5 – 10 if your cellar provides respect and equanimity.
Tasted: Friday 16th April, 2021 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $45
Suggested Drinking Window: 2021 – 2028
Winemaker: Mark Ravenscroft
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