Now firmly entrenched in the d’Arry line up with Chester, Jack Walton and the team getting a good handle on the grape.

d’Arenberg, The Anthropocene Epoch, Mencia, McLaren Vale, 2019

Dark heart with bright edges and some of the slowest moving legs I’ve seen for a long time. Plush and dark aromas: turned earth, cherry wood smoke, crushed purple flowers, grated dark chocolate, damp tea leaves in the pot, pulled rhubarb and a hint of anise and iodine (regionality showing through?). Good fruit intensity with mouth coating powdery tannins and tight finish of medium length. Serve in tumblers alongside beef short-ribs.

RRP: $30
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 17.75/20 (91/100)

Wine sample courtesy of d’Arenberg