One of the very successful labels from the team at Purple Hands Wines, this is sourced from winemaker Craig Stansborough’s vineyard that sits at the southern end of the Barossa. At time of writing, the 2019 is still available from the website.

After Five Wine Co., Montepulciano, Barossa Valley, 2020

Goodness they get a lot in here for 13.5%. While there’s definitive regional characters it’s chocked with plump chary, burnt-ends meatiness under globs of black plums, blueberries, blackberries and fragrant dried kitchen herbs. Palate is firm and drying, balanced by ripe fruit. Punchy acidity shares equal billing with grippy, fine tannin. Let me stand next to the spit roast lamb with a glass of this in hand and pick at sweet, crispy flesh.

RRP: $35 (expected)
Alc: 13.5%
Rating: 18.25/20 (93/100)

Wine sample courtesy of Purple Hands Wines