Tasting Notes
The 2021 vintage is now available to order
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 the grapes are grown organically on old bush wines, grape picking decisions "made purely on natural acidity" and a particular focus 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 it was 100% Grenache, as is this 2021 vintage. The 60+ year old vines in the Fugazi vineyard produce 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 2021 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
96 points Decanter Jan 2022
"For 13 consecutive vintages, this wine (from an exposed ridge in Blewitt Springs) has shown the same vibrant character in a gentle medium-bodied palate that surprises for the great length of its flavours. A pretty perfume of rose, redcurrants and cherry precludes a lively palate of red and black berries, but the sprinkle of white pepper and savoury chew from sandy tannins pulls the wire taut. Such unusual tension between open generosity and lean restraint makes this wine special. Fine and true, with a lingering finish."
