Common Ground by Utopos Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2021

Stuart McCloskey "This took me by surprise – I wasn’t expecting such concentration and wallop (no offence, Kym). The bouquet is fabulously deep, uber-spicy and filled with ripe raspberry, kirsch, blueberry compote, licorice, white pepper and warm earth – lots of vim and vigour. This really gallops out of the glass. The palate borders medium-to-full-bodied and doesn’t hold back either. The fruit is flamboyant and laced with sweet spice. She feels generous, modern, ripe and lavish. The tannins are fine-grained, and the acidity is pitch perfect. Wonderfully fresh and immensely satisfying. Just, very, very sexy, and wonderfully moreish… Heroic stuff (given the price). Stop with the superlatives, McCloskey and end now! Drink now (decant for an hour or two) and through to 2030… Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware."

Kym Teusner “A blend of Grenache (43%), Shiraz (32%) and Mataro (25%) matured for 18 months in seasoned French hogsheads. The right approach to maturation for wines that aim to deliver purity of vineyard and varietal expression. This is a rich and voluptuous wine with the requisite structure and freshness that inhibits any risk of presenting as over ripe or jammy. There is great fruit weight complexed by nice savoury spice elements and long lines of fine tannin. The mid palate is creamy, rich and satisfying – meeting the brief for immediate drinkability whilst not compromising the cellaring potential of these wines.”