Gundog Estate Indomitus Rutilus 2021

Although my score for this final member of the Indomitus trio (the name really does sound like it should be the title for a Russell Crow film) is the lowest of the three, by a wafer-thin margin, I’d be prepared to wager a case for this wine that in time, it tops the lot. It just needs time. Everything old is new again. Regional blending like this was not uncommon back in the days of winemakers like Maurice O’Shea. It worked then, so why not now? Hunter Shiraz with some Yarra Pinot Noir. The Shiraz is from the 50-year-old Will’s Hill Vineyard at Pokolbin and the 20% contribution from the Yarra Pinot is from George’s Vineyard at Seville.

Bright magenta in colour, the nose is, not surprisingly, more Hunter Shiraz than Pinot at this stage. Red fruits, cranberries, dry herbs, cigar box notes, this is supple in texture though perhaps a little broad on the palate at the moment. Good length and soft, cushiony tannins. For me, it will drink well for eight years at least, although Matt suggests five. I think he is selling it short, but we would both agree that it will also drink beautifully right now.