Allegiance The Fighter Hilltops Tempranillo 2024

From a single vineyard in the Hilltops region of NSW, this is a cracking example of how well Tempranillo can do in this country. Seven months maturation in stainless steel, this is made in a fresh, joyful style which the Spanish might call Joven. Delicious drinking. A gleaming maroon purple with notes of black cherries, blackberries, delicatessen meats, chocolate and dried herbs weaving through the nose. A wine with some refinement, as well as some hedonistic pleasure to it, it is taut, bright and with sleek tannins and good length. The palate gives us more notes of licorice and vegemite. This should continue to drink well for a decade, though there seems no real reason not to enjoy it much sooner. Like this a lot.