Reviews

Winemaker Ray Costanzo says 2012 is the best vintage he has seen on the Granite Belt. So much so he dedicated a new label to it – Vintage Grand Reserve.

You could pass this off as a savoury Grenache. Damn it’s tasty. Durif is often seen as a big and gutsy wine, but that’s not the case here. Dangerously approachable, it’s a far cry from the 15% plus alcohol blockbusters coming from Rutherglen.

Here’s another textural delight from Ray Costanzo. Small white flowers and citrus aromas spill from the glass. There’s a sprinkle of spice with a wash of lemon juice at the death, but that lingering textural thing Ray has perfected with some of his white wines sits pretty well.

In the glass, the aromas from this Shiraz suggest it is a dense wine. Not the case. A lovely expression of cool climate Shiraz is highlighted by dark fruits, chocolate, a vanilla kick and a spice punch on the finish.

distributed under vines, minimal herbicide used and zero pesticides are applied. The vines are dry grown which is unique from most vineyards in the Granite Belt region.

A whiff of this and I’m picturing palms, pools and sunshine. Very tropical and the pineapple and passion fruit on offer confirms that. Deliciously fresh with the spice character Verdelho brings with it washing through to the end.