Purple Hands Mataro Grenache Shiraz 2021

You don’t often see mataro or mourvedre taking the lead role in red blends, usually with shiraz and grenache. It’s generally the spice, sprinkled over other varieties, to give a much needed savoury bite. I wish there were more of them around, though, as mourvedre’s dark heart can add a hell of a lot of interest when it is done right, as it is here.

Deeply coloured, it’s a big, chunky, hearty red. Rich blackberry and mulberry fruits are on display with nice touches of new leather, animal fur and with some spice thrown in. That is followed by a meaty and textural palate with mataro’s dense fruit underpinned by supple but significant tannins that provide ample support. It’s a proud Barossan with good drinking potential over the medium term.

Angus Hughson

Founder at Winepilot

Angus is an award-winning wine writer and the Founder and Publisher of Winepilot, the Australian Editor for leading international publication VINOUS with Antonio Galloni based in New York City and the Co-Publisher of The Australian Ark with over 15 years of publishing, writing and judging experience.

Criticauthor and publisher