Ric Red by DR3 2021
- 92
- $45
- Drink by: 2023-2026
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Before today, I could count on no fingers the number of wines I’d consumed that had been partly made by a Formula 1 driver. Ric Red is a collaboration between St Hugo winery in the Barossa Valley and Daniel Ricciardo, an Italian-Australian driver who races for Red Bull (if I understand Wikipedia correctly). Guided by chief winemaker Peter Munro, Ric Red is Ricciardo’s easier-drinking “plush red blend – a Secret Sauce, that brings people together all year round”, in comparison to his DR3, a richer and extremely limited bottling of a Shiraz and a Cabernet. I have to say that I was intrigued at the beginning, and impressed by the end.
There was no info on the grape varieties for the Ric Red – the “Secret Sauce” isn’t revealed – but to me it smells like Shiraz with perhaps some additional Grenache (and Mourvèdre), although don’t take my word on that. I will say that as soon as I removed the screw cap, there was a tremendous whiff of really ripe, perfumed fruit, coming across like raspberry jubes. Blueberry, strawberry and cherry make up the fruit component, with some added spice, pepper and violets – very pretty. The palate is medium all the way – body, acid, and tannin – with a silky texture and ripe, pronounced tannins that will settle down a bit more with some age. It has bigger bones (and price) on it than you might expect from an “easier-drinking red” but it made for a very pleasant drinking experience.
Brendan is a Melbourne-based writer, filmmaker, playwright and composer. Since 2013, he has been published in national and regional Australian titles such as Halliday Magazine, Gourmet Traveller Wine, Grapegrower and Winemaker, Gippslandia, Gippsland Lifestyle, Yarra Valley and Ranges and Gippsland Country Life magazines. Brendan was a finalist for 2024 Wine Communicator Awards in the 'Best Published Feature Article or Wine Column' category. He has completed the WSET Level 3 course (gaining a Distinction) and has a passion for small producers of wine, beer and spirits. He is also the co-editor of 'I'm Not a Film Star: David Bowie as Actor' for Bloomsbury Academic.
