• French oak
• Baked plum
• Smoke & herbs
• Taut & textured

"It's splendidly fruited and gorgeously complex on the nose with dark berry, thyme, cured meat, toasted nut and dried flower notes, leading to a silky-smooth palate that's succulent and velvety, offering terrific drinking. At its best: now to 2028" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Apr 2022

"Deep purple with a ruby hue, slightly lighter edged. This has a youthful and soft bouquet with vivid aromas of blackberries, cherries, and dark herbs entwined with a hint of floral, liquorice and allspice. Medium-full bodied, purely expressed aromas of blackberries, cherries melded with violet, thyme and black liquorice, unfolding cloves and black pepper. The fruit shows purity and ripeness, growing with depth, and black pepper extended the palate, adorned by violet and stalk elements. Youthful oak details contributed spice and structure and appeared with a dusty mouthfeel supported by lively acidity. This has a velvety line with pure fruit expression, herb and floral elements, spice structure and an elegant finish. Match with duck and hare over the next 6-8 years" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews, Apr 2022

"Complex and youthful, new and inviting. A bouquet with a powerful varietal intensity showcasing aromas of dark cherry and dried raspberry, baked plum and barrel spices of clove then wood smoke. A fine savoury and mineral seam begin to emerge as ther wine opens up in glass. Taut and textured, youthful and precise, a core of dark red berry fruits and plum, a savoury dried herb layer folds in texture, complexity and breadth. Tannins and acidity enagage all the palate sensors with the core of fruit for contrast. A delicious yet youthful wine with a lengthy finish. Best drinking from late  2023 through 2030+" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Apr 2022

Complex and youthful, new and inviting. A bouquet with a powerful varietal intensity showcasing aromas of dark cherry and dried raspberry, baked plum and barrel spices of clove then wood smoke. A fine savoury and mineral seam begin to emerge as ther wine opens up in glass. Taut and textured, youthful and precise, a core of dark red berry fruits and plum, a savoury dried herb layer folds in texture, complexity and breadth. Tannins and acidity enagage all the palate sensors with the core of fruit for contrast. A delicious yet youthful wine with a lengthy finish.

Grapes were grown in The Van der Mark vineyard is located on the esteemed China Terrace in Bendigo, sloped at an altitude of 320-380m.

The hand harvested fruit was picked by clone when each reached optimal ripeness in mid-April. There were three separate ferments ranging from 15-35% whole clusters. Including fermentation of about seven days, the average time on skins was 24 days. All three ferments were pressed to 2bar with no press cuts and were settled overnight before going to barrel. The wine underwent full malolactic fermentation and was aged in fine grain french oak barrels (20% new) for around 11.5 months before all components were blended in preparation for bottling.