"Here be 60% Shiraz and 40% Mataro from 1893 Central, 1919 Eastern, and 1920 Eastern bush vines. History. I was just going to do the Bordeaux family wines tonight, but decided to push on. A lot of spitting, a bit of sipping. Business, and pleasure, as it were. I have a feeling that the Bordeaux grape wines may be the smokers in 2016, which is as it should be, for the Clare Valley.
I love the meaty hazelnut thing that Mataro brings to the table, and that umami character is strong here. Blackberry, some spice, mint chocolate, camphor in the background. Medium to full-bodied, quite chunky and tannic, perhaps a little raw and blocky, furry maybe, at least within the frame of reference for the 2016 Cabernet / Malbec wines from Wendouree. Acidity is fresh, cool and fine, though the tannin clumps on the finish a little. It’s somewhat primal, and primary. Unresolved, though I suspect time may treat it well. Let’s see."
93+ points, Gary Walsh, July 2018.
A 60/40% blend from the 1893 Central, 1919 Eastern and 1920 Eastern (bushvine) Vineyards. At once rounder and more earthy, the change of expression turning on fruit, not tannins. The unexpected result is a more overt display of power, although all things are relative. Stripped bare, it is still of its terroir, one that it shares with the other Wendouree wines.
96 points, Wine Companion (April 2019)
Deep, bright, youthful red/purple colour. The aromas are likewise fresh, bright and young, if a touch subdued, but the fruit is leading. There's a subtle hint of mint as well as some background notes of mocha and herbs. Rich, almost jammy, berry flavours, the tannins fine, powdery and pleasantly persistent on the tongue. The finish is very long and harmonious.
95 points, The Real Review (September 2018)
The Clare Valley
The Clare Valley is located two hours north of Adelaide in the Mount Lofty ranges. The region was settled by John Horrocks who encouraged his servant James Green to plant the first vines in 1842. Climate in the Clare Valley is continental with hot summers, cold winters and low rainfall that necessitates supplementary irrigation. Soils in the valley are predominantly red brown loams over shale, permitting excellent drainage. Many of the best vineyards are located at higher elevations of 400-500m on sites that take advantage of the cool breezes that funnel up the corrugation of hills from the south. The Clare Valley is renowned for its zesty fruit-pure Rieslings particularly from the sub-regions of Polish Hill and Watervale. The region also produces intense age-worthy sturdy reds from Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
