“First cracked and I raised an eyebrow at a little extra malty, spicy oak presence but that meshed in nicely and the wine hums with 30-or-so minutes of relaxing. Caveat, do take your time; worthy. I liked this a lot. It feels familiar and comforting, a welcomed slosh of dark cherry, clove spice, twiggy wood elements, bay leaf, faint mint and dark chocolate, brined green olive with a slip of granite-like mineral, rocky charm. Medium weight, faint but gently shaping silky tannins chime in, a long, cool finish ensues. It’s such a delight. 93pts.”
Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
“100% Thorley Vineyard fruit. Black peppercorn, nutmeg, clove, decaying leaves, salumi, and tilled earth sit above blackberry and blueberry in an upfront aromatic complexity. Some liquorice root and au jus with air. It’s very savoury, seductive and inviting. There’s a cooling and lifted mineral feel to the palate holding taut black cherry, blueberry, black pepper, and undergrowth within a frame of savoury acidity and fine grainy tannins. A more taut and delicate release reflective of the 2023 vintage, but still holding trademark savouriness and complexity. 92pts
Tom Kline, Wine Pilot
“Bright, bunchy, crunchy, blue fruited aromas along with spice, bay leaf, cola and clovey oak. Mid-weight, lively and full of blueberry, cherry, sarsaparilla and a wild brambly lift. The tannins are textured and savoury and there’s real zip and ping from the acidity. 92pts.”
Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
