Extensive experience in the industry has Alex Retief: trainee winemaker at CSU, winemaker with the Hunter's Andrew Margan, stints in Bordeaux with Chateau Lagarde, vintage with Cheval Blanc; sales rep for Peter Lehmann in Sydney before starting his own boutique distribution company. Put it all together and you get A.Retief wines.
A Mataro from the Hilltops region. Some funk sits afront some bacon fat and meaty aromatics. Ironically it struck me as somewhat Northern Rhoneish - ironic for Mataro cannot ripen there.
But this wine is at turns black fruited; inky, savoury with some regional pepper in there too. Incredibly smooth entry, the palate bound up with some Dutch licorice, black strap molasses and spice. Complex, yet balanced - rich and full.
Barely any tannin to speak of, that present provides a structure, a vehicle for the wine. It has an impressive memory, a fine lingering finish. Only 375 dozen made, Sydney-siders can get a fix at Fix St James; loving the name too: a nod to Mataro's many synonyms, many of which feature on the label. Thoroughly enchanting: 94 - Outstanding
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol:14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.aretief.com.au/
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac
[This post was edited at 19:38 12/02/2012. The score of 94 should be 'Outstanding' and not 'Excellent' as by my scoring scale, this was duly changed.]
Sounds devine Stu. I assume it's not available retail in Brisbane?
ReplyDelete