94 POINTS - 2022 Winestate Magazine’s Wines of Victoria Wine Show
GOLD - 2022 National Wine Show of Australia
GOLD - 2021 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show
SILVER - 2022 Rutherglen Wine Show
SILVER - 2021 Victorian Wine Show
"...the ever reliable multi-tasker, makes for a fabulous vintage fortified retaining its juicy blueberry, black cherry, licorice, violet aromatics and intensity of flavour elevated by attractive brandy spirit." 93 Points, 2022 Halliday Wine Companion
“I often overlook the beauty of fortified wines in Australia, but this was one that turned my head. I loved the volume of perfume, the exuberance of spice, the dark, caramel-molasses-like flavours. While very rich and showing thickness of texture, there’s an innate freshness that lifts and brightens. Indeed, this feels quite youthful, despite all the concentration and intensity of dark, dried fruits, nuts and spice. A fantastic winter warmer. Long may the fortified wines of Australia reign”. Mike Bennie, Gourmet Traveller Wine
"Deep, dense purple/red colour with a fresh, sweet blackberry aroma laced with spicy, floral spirit notes. The wine is sweet and fruity in the mouth, quite intense and bold, the spirit leaving a grassy grappa-like quality on the aftertaste. A very appealing vintage port style. The mild tannins make it very approachable young." 90 points, Huon Hooke
“Fantastic nose full of floral spirit, dark chocolate and licorice. Great length and intensity of sweet varietal fruit flavours with balancing tannins and dry finish.” 98 points, Winestate Magazine
VINEYARD REGION: Alpine Valleys
THE WINE: This fortified wine displays colour tones of indigo and violets. The nose shows intense spicy raisin, ripe black currant aromas, developing into cherries and rich, dark fruits. The palate is overwhelmed by layers of liquorice, textural tannins and mouth-filling blackberry fruit flavours. This wine has extraordinary drinkability and is robust enough for maturation for an eternity.
FOOD MATCHES: Excellent with quince paste, a wide variety of cheeses - including soft rind, Cheddar, blue, goats and ricotta, and with nuts such as pistachios, walnuts, almonds and brazil nuts.
PEAK DRINKING: Now - 2033
WINE ANALYSIS: Alc/Vol 18.5% - PH 3.76 - TA 5.13
