Chateau Tanunda Newcastle Syrah Grenache Mourvèdre Carignan Cinsault 2012 (Barossa Valley, SA)
14%, Screwcap, $24
Source: Sample
www.chateautanunda.com
Produced from ‘The Whole Dam Family of meridional French varieties’ (as the press release calls it), including 24% Shiraz from Stonewell; 24% Grenache from Tanunda; 22% Mourvèdre from Bethany and Greenock; 7% Carignan and 6% Cinsault from Vine Vale.
Note also the usage of ‘Syrah’ (instead of Shiraz) in this wine’s title, which is perhaps a nod to the Rhone leanings. Yet the style here is so utterly Barossan that its inclusion is a bit odd.
Like plenty of ’12 Barossan reds this has seriously dark colours, looking thick and full. It smells quite juicy and lighter than this, with a swathe of French vanilla oak lacquer over black pepper fruit juiciness. That juiciness extended through the palate too, sweetened up by a little oak but otherwise all about slippery, raspberry, meaty fruit and light tannins, the palate structure very smooth but contained by tannins.
Super affable and genuinely approachable early to mid-term drinker, with Barossa written all over it..
Drink: 2013-2018
Score: 17/20 90/100
Would I buy it? By the glass I’d be tempted.
Leave a Reply