GRANT SAYS
Thousand Candles ‘Gathering Field’ Red Blend 2022 RRP $35 ABV 13%ߺ
Thousand Candles have, over the last couple of decades, garnered a reputation for creating wines just a little left of centre. They’re not bound by convention and won’t be dictated to by market trends or fads. Instead, they prefer to let their vineyards do the talking, and boy do they listen. Each vintage they create speaks to an individual moment in time, captured in a bottle. This ‘Gathering Field’ blend is an almost even split of Pinot Noir (55%) and Shiraz (45%). It’s not uncommon for a producer to sneak in a small amount of shiraz to boost fruit generosity in a pinot, but it’s rarely advertised or celebrated. But this wine shows us how and why it can be done. I was delighted with unique aromatics of Ferrero Rocher; that hazelnut and Belgian milk chocolate combination really jumped out at me. Combine that with a clever waxy note, ripe cherries and bouncy blueberries. The palate is medium bodied. The shiraz component went through carbonic maceration, which is more commonly used with pinot or gamay. This brought about a jubey and confected mid palate which seamlessly tied together its herbaceous and stalky front palate. The finish is super silky and that chocolatey note lingers with impressive length. Don’t be afraid to jump out of your comfort zone and try a blend like this. It really opens the door to infinite possibilities that wine has to offer. As the weather warms up, you could even pop this wine in the fridge and drink it down a little chilled.
Pair with: Arugula and seared scotch fillet salad with Persian feta and pomegranate dressing.
RICHARD SAYS
2024 Wynns Original Cabernet Sauvignon 13.4% Coonawarra, South Australia RRP $45
Bordeaux in France is where the Cabernet family thrives, but it’s grown worldwide with success – California, Italy and more. It’s the ‘king’ of grape varieties (some wrongly crown Nebbiolo). The small berries deliver concentration, then it’s the usual finesses of viticultural sensitivity, matching oak and getting tannins correct (not hard or green). Experience and insight help too. Within Australia, Margaret River holds the best strike rate, but then Coonawarra, and the Yarra Valley can compete strongly too.
This well-known ‘Wynns Black Label’ offers the amazing troika of monster value, extreme cellaring ability (20 years with ease), and drinkability at any time. Another bonus is its availability at retail – for less than its RRP with ease.
This wine instantly entices with a deep, regal purple colour, with wafts of blackcurrant, mulberry, violet and a dusting of graphite. It’s vibrant, varietal, and delicious – lingering dark fruits, structurally beautifully balanced and delivers on the ‘more please’ test. Even wine connoisseurs will be easily satisfied. This wine sets the senses aflame with its compelling juiciness.
Don’t be scared of Cabernet – here’s proof it doesn’t need to be surly, or overly grippy.
And matches? Lamb is a classic – chops or a small roast; but gourmet snags work a treat too, or a cheese board. A vegetarian stuffed pepper in a rich tomato sauce wins too, and don’t ignore the burger option!
