Chester says it best: “The inspiration for this name comes from the age-old proverb; ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me’. The unusual and quirky names of d’Arenberg’s range of wines has never done the winery any harm” So there.

d’Arenberg, The Sticks and Stones, McLaren Vale, 2014

A unique blend of Spanish and Portuguese grapes: Tempranillo, Grenache, Souzão and Tinta Cão. Soft, earthy and tart with cherry, blackberry, fuzzy vanilla paste, blue steel before a glossy sheen with a rubber plant leaf/aloe vera green earthiness. Slick, cool fruit with generous puckering tannins. Contradicting stony and leafy at the same time. Sloe berries and black forest fruits with baked orange segments push the acidity higher than expected taking this into medium bodied territory. Cocoa powder tannins finish things off. A rogue, but a lovable one.

RRP: $29
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 17.50/20

Wine sample courtesy of d’Arenberg