The current vintage of the icon for d’Arenberg’s blend: Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre.

d’Arenberg, The Ironstone Pressings, GSM, McLaren Vale, 2016

Full red fruit and soft pencil+ink eraser/rubber, light smoky toasty oak, crunchy chary burnt ends of beef, ash with milk chocolate and even a touch of medicinal herbs. Savoury and spicy on the palate with a restrained elegance, yet at odds with itself over chunky chocolate. There’s almost a savoury, cereal aspect to a medium body. For the moment, the wine is dominated by textural tannins….a little chunky as they are.  Just put this away for at least 2 to 3 years,

RRP: $76
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 18/20

Wine sample courtesy of d’Arenberg