Single Origin South Gippsland – Very limited release. $40.00

Mencía (“Men-thee-ah”) – A grape variety native to the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. In Spain. Now doing well in parts of Australia, and, not to my surprise, South Gippsland, as this grape is similar in weight to Pinot Noir.

In the Glass: A deep Cab/Merlot, in colour.

On the Nose: Floral red fruit with some blackberry, violets, rose petals, and herbal, woody notes, filling the nostrils with a faint mineral whiff.

In the Mouth: On entry, the wine splashes over the front palate with cleansing acid that fills the mouth with dense fruit that coats the tongue with a flavour expression that is unmistakably different and draws you in from the very onset. With a very subtle glimpse of minerality in the texture, which contributes to its black fruit taste on the crunchy finish.

P.S. The wine can take a slight chill on a warm day.

Michael Lillis

Wine consultant

I enjoyed this medium-bodied wine with a Wild Mushroom Risotto dotted with red bell Pepper and black olives. This dish absorbed the acid & tannin in the wine, leaving a mouthwatering finish.