2022 Primo Estate Joseph Moda Cabernet Merlot, McLaren Vale

As always, the grapes are dried for an extended period before crushing with the aim to enhance flavour and concentration. And that it does. Big, bold, inky red wine with creamy, lush texture, deep inward concentration, a black hole of forest berry compote, stewed plums, mocha, vanilla, toasty coconut and lavish, sweet spices dashed liberally over the lot. A warm and comforting wine that moves like a spoon through molasses, sticky and slow, with complexity inherent. A legendary wine that delivers a full experience from 2022, with power and grace hand-in-hand.

96 points Mike Bennie winecompanion.com.au

This wine is acclaimed as one of Australia’s finest Cabernets since Joe Grilli of Primo Estate released the first vintage in 1987. To create the JOSEPH Moda, Joe combines Aussie know-how with his traditional Italian winemaking by air drying the finest McLaren Vale fruit on shaded outdoor racks for weeks prior to crushing. The fruit is concentrated so that it loses around 15% of its weight. This inspired use of the Italian Amarone technique creates an opulent, brooding wine. 

The wine is aged in new French and American oak barriques for 18 months to create a subtle layering - mocha, cinnamon, vanilla and cedar streaks ripple through the palate; the considerable tannins are saturated by the sheer lushness of flavour.

Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Merlot 20%

Intense bouquet of concentrated blackcurrant fruit intermingled with characteristic raisin and cigar box notes. Mouth filling palate of rich, lush blueberry wrapped in fine dark cocoa. The palate is silky, poised and just goes on and on, to a gentle finish with lingering cedar oak.