2017 Adelina Field Blend, Clare Valley

The newest member of the Adelina family is another knockout; a true field blend from Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro, Ugni Blanc, Roussanne and Carignan, grafted over the estate's Cabernet vines five years back. 2017 sees the first release from this organically farmed vine allotment, and judging by the quality, the Gardner-McBryde brainwave has proved to be an inspired decision. In true field blend style the grapes are harvested as one, destemmed, lightly crushed and co-fermented for 11 days. The wine was then pressed off into neutral French oak for nine months before bottling. 

Fascinating aromas. There's some ripe pink grapefruit, rock melon and persimmon straight off the bat, followed by juicy red fruits and some gaminess presumably from the Mataro. The palate is juicy, jubey and mid-weight with fine tannins and a taut racy acidity to close. This first release drew the following from Nick Stock... "Stunning 2017 Adelina Field Blend red showing the way forward. Excellent marriage of structure, focus and drinkability." A cracking addition to the Adelina line-up, not to mention the beautiful label illustration by Tara McPherson. Be still my beating heart.

"An old 1970's cabernet block grafted across to an array of shiraz, grenache, mataro, ugni blanc, roussanne and carignan. This is exactly the sort of red wine that the region needs to evolve. All juicy, fresh and nimble on its feet with tangy red fruits, light tannins and immediate appeal. Great length and some spunky tension, too. Drink now."