Ageless Redman Coonawarra red built for the patient

There’s something pretty special about these old Redman reds. Something quintessentially Aussie, with that surprising seriousness and ageless depth that great old Coonawarra reds are famous for.

Better still, this Redman blend is only released after a decade, yet still takes 2-3 days of being open before it really hits top speed. Ageless indeed.

A blend of Cabernet Shiraz and Merlot, this spends a massive two years in oak, though it doesn’t look oak drawn. It still looks youthful really, the deep red colour showing no signs of bricking. On day one this actually looked a bit ripe and blunt, but come day 3 it was singing. Leather, violets, blackcurrant in a wonderfully dusty, distinctive regional style. Coonawarra from first whiff. The palate is ripe, maybe a little riper than I’d ideally like, but the sturdy tannins and overall form suggest the ripeness is a good thing for palate shape. It doesn’t lose varietal character either, so probably about right…

That dusty, finely tannic, occasionally leafy, yet still cast as a wine of ‘fruit’ it’s not hard to see the appeal here. It’s going to live forever too, and in another 10 years probably look quite magical and utterly Coonawarra. Only pity that it is sealed with cork.

Any lover of old school South Australian wine is going to warm to this wines charm. I loved its Aussie-ness. But only really after 3 days of being opened. The score is indicative of where it ended up.

Details: 14%, Cork, $70

Tasted: March 2015 (sample)
Best drinking: 2018-2030+
Score: 18.5/20, 94/100
Would I buy it? I’d definitely consider it, but just for the cellar. it will look great as a 20yr old.