Black & Ginger Cinco Rojas 2023

What an exciting bunch of Portuguese/Spanish red grapes offering some truly delicious drinking. Winemaker, Hadyn Black, is to be congratulated for taking the plunge in a region more noted for its Shiraz and embracing an alternative vision of Grampians red wine comprising Graciano, Grenache, Tinta Cão, Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo) and Touriga Nacional. The result is a comforting red with some European grip and savouriness amid a wealth of black, red and blue fruits wrapped in spice. Each grape brings something whether it’s Touriga’s noted tannin qualities, Tempranillo’s cherry and spice or Grenache’s depth of herbals and arresting fruit presence. A middle palate thread of smoked meat savouriness and earthiness helps seal what is a most expressive palate before a clean, acid-bright finish. Released July 1.