ColourDeep red/ purple huesAromaBlackberry and blackcurrant evident at first and followed by satsuma plum characters.PalateHerbaceous, capsicum flavours at the front palate. Blackberry and satsuma plum characters are supported by firm tannins leading to a lingering finish.

Black cherry, sweet spice and dark fruit aromas combine with blackberry and raspberry flavours to give a crisp and approchable wine.

The wine has a mouth filling lusciousness, densely packed with generous plum and dark cherry fruit flavours along with subtle floral violet characters and a smack of vanilla underlying the opulent oak expression.

Re-tasted on 07/06/2022 Magnificent colour displaying a pitch black core with a very deep black dark red hue. Pronounced black cherry, liquorice and black plum aromas are overlaid by scorched earth and smoked meats followed by spicy vanillin cedar and pepper notes. Tightly built rich black cherry and liquorice flavours dominate over inky earth, lightly scorched vanillin cedar, dried meats and blackpepper. Dry grippy finish with tightly grained tannins. Rich yet elegant and muscular in its feel. Good underlying power with a long black cherry, liquorice, smoky vanillin cedar, dried meats and earthy pepper aftertaste. Cellar 8-10 years. Alc. 14.5%

In the glass the 2010 S has a black core with a deep red rim. There are elegant aromas of red black fruits, and spicy earthy notes with a hint of grilled meats, graphite and controlled oak. On the palate the fruit continues with rich plums, and blueberries and delicate spice and chocolate which all roll on to a juicy palate with fine tannins that go on ... and on. Smidge recommends drinking this wine betwen 2014 and 2030.

2015 Clarendon Hills Onkaparinga Grenache, Purpled crimson. Magically entwined with elegant hints of cherry, raspberry, terracotta, cocoa, walnut, and Turkish delight. The flourishing perfume continues to rise with an ever-present core appearing as the seamless spine. Harmoniously, these characters gracefully nuance, reinforce and offer evolution. A harmonious composition of spice, fruit, glycerin and chalky velvet produce an aristocratic experience that is nearly limitless in its depth of expression. The palate is bright and taught with natural acid however it is incredibly layered and deeply concentrated with silky smooth extract. The impressive purity of the fruit, alone , ushers superlatives however it is the fine boned and seamlessly structured palate, coupled with an air of effortless power that remains the most haunting element to this exceptional old vine Grenache.

The pinnacle of Chapel Hill's best parcels of red come together to form The Vicar, a prestige full blooded McLaren Vale Shiraz of great distinction. Painstakingly chosen from selected single-vineyard McLaren Vale sites, The Vicar is overflowing with ripe mulberry and licquorice flavours interlinked with sublime oak influence from over 80% French oak influence.

This wine forms part of Clarendon Hills 'Grand Cru' classification and is the ultimate expression of Grenache for the winery. Something to keep an eye on over the next 20 years.

A ¾ tonne bell with the name of 'Angelus' sits proudly atop the cellars at Wirra Wirra and heralds the beginning and end of vintage every year on the famous McLaren Vale estate. Previously the bell rang out from the Jesuit Church in Norwood thrice daily and due to this tradition, Wirra Wirra continue to name the bell and their very best Cabernet Sauvignon every year, The Angelus. Always a pungent and concentrated Cabernet with notes of cassis, cedar and trademark bitter chocolate bound with fine tannins. A propensity to age in the bottle for over a decade as well as its approachability early in life will appeal to all.