Oliver’s Taranga Brioni’s Blend 2022

What a quirky blend this is. You might be more familiar with Mataro being called Mourvèdre, a structured, earthy variety that thrives in southern France. Touriga hails from Portugal where it adds fragrant violets and elegance to vintage Port. These heat-tolerant varieties are part of Oliver’s Taranga Vineyard’s adaptation to the climate and offer great fun in experimenting with new blends.

The wine is inky purple in colour with Touriga’s violets leaping from the glass. From there it’s fruity and spicy with cherries and plums, cinnamon sticks and star anise. 

With Mataro and Touriga leading the blend some bold tannin is to be expected and it’s beautifully handled – a lovely chalky texture and just a hint of mouthwatering chewiness. Baked rhubarb and blackberries shine on the palate with a savoury graphite minerality on the finish.