Salomon Estate The Verve Red 2023

From Austrian winemaking legend Dr Bert Salomon’s Southern hemisphere endeavour, a superbly sited vineyard overlooking Lake Alexandrina, the lower reaches of the Murray River and in the distance the Great Southern Ocean, all of which water-cool and air-condition the vines during the ripening season. The Verve represents this vineyard’s lighter red wine styling, a chillable red combo in which the varietal composition changes year to year, this 2023 outing 70% Syrah with 15% each of Grenache and Touriga, the latter two offering a flowering native bush fragrance, the palate echoing the aromas with light and easy red fruit flavours. It’s all very juicy and morishly drinkable, though lingers a bit as you sip and there’s a dusting of baking spice and white pepper – thank the Syrah for that! Clever blending has resulted in a very modern red wine.