d’Arenberg The Twenty Eight Road’ Mourvedre 2018 

I can just hear the howls of disappointment echoing around the wine bars of Australia as wine lovers discover that Chester has come up with such a prosaic name for a wine, at least by his standards. Twenty Eight Road borders the Osborn Vineyard and the family winery. It is in that vineyard, from a 3.6 acre block of Mourvedre, that these grapes are sourced. That block was planted in 1918. In other words, you are getting a wine made from 100-year-old vines for a miserable $30. Stock up. 

The batches go into open fermenters where foot treading takes place, then to a mix of older French oak to finish fermentation, and mature, for ten months. Deep and dark, with a rich and powerful nose. The flavours are a mix of chocolate, cloves, black fruits and black olives. A muscular style. There are soft, furry tannins here. It is easy to see why this variety so often plays a cameo as part of a blend. It has so much to offer. This should age well for the next five to eight years, so be in no rush. Ideal for a good barbecue or a good steak.