Tasting Notes
Following the sad news that wine maker Taras Ochota has passed away, I have very limited stocks of this new vintage; contact me to see what stocks I have left
Taras Ochota settled in Australia with his wife Amber after studying Oenology and travelling the world's vineyards to learn everything he could from other winemakers. Back home he adopted a holistic approach influenced by small biodynamic producers and therefore grows grapes organically on old bush wines, making grape picking decisions "purely on natural acidity" and focuses on the wine's texture. This latter comes from extended time on skins and batonnage. The aim is "to make wines with attention to detail that are real and pure".
When I first tasted the 2018 vintage of this wine at the Australia Day tasting in 2020 I loved its elegance and I questioned that it was 100% Grenache as the alcohol was relatively low for Grenache at 12.8%. But I checked and it was 100% Grenache - from 60+ year old wines producing low yields of very intensely flavoured grapes. After careful handling and minimal intervention wine-making they produce complex wine full of amazing perfumes and concentrated flavours. The 2020 is produced in the same style and is a big wine in terms of its heaps of flavour but I have categorised it as a Smooth Elegant Red because it manages to contain its power and display finesse with a silky mouthfeel. You will find new flavours in this wine with each mouthful, it is so multi-layered and it has a lovely, juicy, long finish.
Food Pairing
Probably best enjoyed with food. It will go with most meats - chicken, turkey, red meats (grilled, roasted or barbecued), game etc - and vegetarian/ vegan cuisine but avoid serving it with very spicy foods as that could clash with its own spicy characteristics
Producer's Notes
"A fragrant thread of wild herbs, fennel seed and charcuterie is underpinned with raspberry, violets and Asian spice. Finely grained tannins a long, succulent, and savoury finish. A very pure expression of Grenache."
Awards
95 points the realreview.com Mar 2021
"Medium ruby colour from core to rim. Bitters, redcurrants and wakame on the nose. Crystalline fruit on entry, so bright and pure on entry and then rolls into a more savoury, amaro flavour profile from middle to finish. Structure and drive is the dominant force here, acid powering the high notes and sandy tannins rolling through underneath. Whilst the fruit-weight is light to medium, it still goes incredibly long and leaves a ethereal clean fruit note lingering. Cellaring patience will be rewarded."
