2024 Mataro

The block was planted in 1997 and has three distinct sections, rockier at the top down to free-draining sandy red/brown loam at the bottom. The loam tends to give a darkness to the berry fruit profile and silky tannin structure to the wine. It also allows the rustic, ferrous aspects – a key part of this grape’s make-up - to reverberate in the background while the fruit intensity rises to the fore.

Packed with spice and sporting a swell of ripe dark and red plum, black cherry and boysenberry fruits with a seam of exotic spice and no shortage of earthen tones and meaty nuance. There's some nice raspberry pip lift in there, too, along with dried meats, kombu, dried citrus rind and crushed rock. A base of superfine, silty tannin and bright, sapid acidity provides ample structure, but that fruit and spice waltz is just lovely.

Cellaring recommendation: 5 - 10 years plus