Greenock Creek Mataro 2020

This fine example of a varietal mataro is from the Seppeltsfield sub-region of the Barossa, in particular from the Radford Road vineyard. The cuttings came from old vines planted near Marananga, planted as bush vines in 2000. It receives an extended period in American oak. This is a really enjoyable wine and a fine example of something we rarely see as a straight varietal, but if one is to be honest, it probably speaks to why this grape is such a useful blending component.

Deep purple in colour, the nose is more earth and tar than bright fruits. A brooding style of wine, if ever you wanted one. Chocolate, axle grease (in a good way), black cherries and leather emerge. There is real intensity here and the tannins are perhaps more chunky than silky. This power and the intense flavours are exactly why small quantities work so well in the right blend, but then for some, too much of a good thing is never enough. The palate shows some unexpected floral notes. This is a ripe, solid and well balanced offering of decent length.