2015 Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Lagrein

I certainly have an affinity with this generally unknown variety in Australia, having crafted some examples of the variety from plantings in Heathcote, needless to say this wine that is sourced from both the Limestone Coast and Adelaide Hills is distinctly varietal and a very enjoyable drink.

There are two fundamental characteristics of Lagrein, one is the inky, lip and teeth staining colour which is something that this release shows with spades, the other is the cured meat aromas that work in amongst dark fruits like blackberry and blackcurrant that are just ripe.

There is a savoury, green edged backbone to the wine that is uncompromising and provides such great texture with sultry, dark and earthen blackberry having just enough richness to shine through with a suggestion of oak that gives contrast to the drying, leather like tannins.

Delicious now, but will evolve and become something special over the next decade.