A limited release from Tyrrell’s. The fruit comes off the 4 acre block (which is the one on the right as you drive up to the winery) planted in 1879. Fermented in open vats and then matured in a single 3 year old French oak cask (2300 litres) for 14 months which makes about 250 cases. I was chatting to a local winemaker and he told me that the 4 acre block is a different clone and it makes for much lighter style of shiraz. True or not, this wine is different. Only 119 cases are left at the winery. A light cherry red colour and quite translucent. It smells light and fresh with aromas of cranberry, fresh raspberry and red licorice – there’s also underbrush and earth, spice and something like the smell of the bush after rain – being a personal descriptor meaning it has a sort of fresh gum tree fragrance. It’s only just medium bodied and again fresh and lively with cranberry and red berry fruit, a light earthiness, ash, herb and spice flavours. Built on acid rather than tannin. Finishes with red fruit and dried herb flavours. Here’s a wine for those who appreciate the style and verve of a bright medium bodied Hunter shiraz. I have no doubt that it will become a thing of great beauty and grace as it ages under its superior closure. I’d rate it higher, but I’m afraid people might think I’m off my rocker. Wine Front