Calabria Three Bridges Durif 2013

Want red wine you can chew on, for a very fair price? Then Bill Calabria is your man. Bill’s ‘Calabria Wines’ (nee Westend) are constant overachievers in the weight-per-dollar equation, with this typically blockbusting Durif Exhibit A. Nice bloke too, is Bill. Hard-working. Shakes everyone’s hands in a room. Always excited. Seems much younger than his age, even though he’s had as many wins and losses (I talk more about Bill and his Durif here).

Deep, purple maroon coloured, this Durif is exactly what you expect. Hugely rich (oak and fruit rich) with plum and blackberry jam on the nose, alongside swathes of sweet coco vanilla oak, big purple fruit flavours and a real juicy sweetness. Admittedly it’s hardy a subtle wine, the finish warm, the acid high too. But bang for buck this is a star. You just know people are going to love this, in all its unapologetic weight and fill. Recommended. Drink: 2015-2025. 17/20, 90/100

Details: 14.5%, Screwcap, $25, Sample
Would I buy it? I don’t think I could drink more than a glass. At least not yet. It’s just so… enveloping. But it has a place.
Buy online: Calabria Wines website