3 Bridges Durif 2009 (Riverina, NSW)
14.5%, Screwcap, $22
Source: Sample
www.westendestate.com.au
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| Durif Sorta sounds like Dew Woof |
Do people actually buy Durif? I mean, surely someone must because wineries keep producing them, but do people genuinely go out with a mindset of ‘I must trackdown more Durif’.
I only ask as it’s a variety that’s full of heart, shows plenty of promise, yet is still largely unknown. An alternative variety (which makes it cool by default), but an odd one (making it less cool) that has been around for decades yet never really hit any sort of stride.
In that vein the good thing about Durif is that – despite it’s unsexy persona – it’s actually very well suited to the warm parts of Australia. Further, it’s so obscure on a world stage (albeit for a smattering of serious attention in the states as Petit Sirah or Syrah or whatever spellings they want) that we could probably Australianise it Russell Crowe style if we really wanted too.
Anyway I can’t quite answer any of these questions (worth asking though) without delving into more rambling so I’ll stick to the wine. This is produced by the Calabria family whom are long time Griffith producers with a solid range of varietals. Think well established Italian family, whom have been making wine the Riverina since the second world war and know how to make sunny, ripe wines.
Fittingly this is ripe and full too, jam packed full of well ripened grapy goodness, polished off with sweet vanilla oak and thick tannins. It’s a black wine, black in colour, black in fruits, covered over with coffeed richly toasty oak. That oak and fruit combination gives it something of a chocolate fudge and cocoa powder nose that is dense and really quite attractive. No surprises to see that the palate matches this, with heaps of rich, grainy choc fudge flavors. It’s a fraction too raw and hard around the edges but I kinda like it. I like just how much balls this has, how much density, yet without obvious overripeness. Indeed it’s quite a svelte and polished Durif in the scheme of things, the extract and balance pretty well spot on.
If you like your reds rich, dense and healthily proportioned (yet not OTT) then this is an easy goto wine. 17/90
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6 Comments
I've not had this one, one but yes I do seek out Durif. Not all the time, but enough to make sure I've got something worth cellaring that isn't Cabernet or Shiraz. Generally I'm looking at Rutherglen if I'm seeking them out, but I'll certainly try some from elsewhere if the opportunity presents
Hey Andrew,
I LOVE Durif and do actively seek it out, though at the moment we've been keeping warm this winter with the 2009 Warrabilla Parola's Reserve Durif we bought over a dozen of online. Seriously, it's up there with one of the best value red (or 'black') wines I've ever had (though that comes with a caveat that I adore massive wines).
Those Warrabilla's are beasts. They certainly have a place though. On that topic, do you like Chris Ringland's wines?
They are beasts alright! I love 'em, but can completely understand if they're not to everyone's tastes. I've had the 08 and 09 Chris Ringland CR's (which I thought were great value and had bought a case of both), but I'm trying to track down an Evil Incarnate for a special occasion later in the year (though not liking my chances).
Incidentally (re Durif), a couple of months back I picked up two bottles of Valhalla Wines 2009 Durif ($30 +/-) which from memory was only about 14.5% and was rather balanced.
I'm curious to try the 3 Bridges above. I picked up an Aglianico from this crew for about $10 a while back and meant to try a few others…
I had a full vertical of the 3 Bridges Durif only recently and can confirm that they're impressively concentrated for the price. Buy!
Great to hear there are others not too shy about indulging in the big reds. I too am a Warrabilla fan but it's hard to get in Darwin. The Chris Ringland is another favourite although the 2010 isn't quite up to the mark of the 2009. The former is now availalbe through Woolies Liquor in Darwin but before that, I couldn't get it unless I went interstate to Dan Murphy's. DMs won't deliver to Darwin and have no store here. Interestingly, I came across the 3 Bridges Durif on a recent visit to Sydney and am very impressed. I seem to be on-song with the rest of you guys! Has anyone tried the Chris Ringland 3 Rings Shiraz, it's probably the best value of all the wines so far mentioned!