First Ridge’s vines are grown in the high altitude region of Mudgee, NSW at just under 600 metres, where the top soils are shallow, with shale rock and iron stone in the soil. Well regarded local James Manners is winemaker, while the late Dr Richard Smart assisted in the set up of the vineyard.

First Ridge, Montepulciano, Mudgee, 2023

Deep ruby. Opens with just cooked toast, bramble, malt, sage leaf, old dust, olive tapenade, chomped cigar, woody clove, blue metal and soaked black cherries. Muscular and chewy: The tannins are defining, but beyond that there’s a fine focused core of dark cherry/berry fruit highlight, all finished with an Oxford Street shriek of acidity. For the masochists out there, drink now by itself, otherwise match to spring lamb on the spit or tuck the bottle away for a few years.

RRP: $45
Alc: 14.5%
Rating:  92/100

Wine sample courtesy of First Ridge and Define Wine