2022 Tim Adams The Fergus Grenache Tempranillo Malbec, Clare Valley

Tim Adams established his Clare Valley winery with his wife Pam in 1987 and has been making consistent estate grown wines ever since.

The Fergus was born from necessity in 1993 their neighbour Fergus offered to sell Tim his Grenache grapes during a shortage of Shiraz and Cabernet. The blend brings together three varieties that each contribute something distinct to the whole: Grenache gives spice and ripe strawberry character, Tempranillo adds aromatic red fruit aromas and tannin structure, while Malbec contributes to mid-palate richness and floral perfume.

Crushed and fermented separately on skins for seven to ten days. Aged in older French oak hogsheads, enough to add integration and spice without marking the wine with obvious oak flavour.

Bright ruby, the nose shows lifted red cherry, redcurrant and ripe raspberry with dried herbs and gentle spice. The palate is medium-bodied and silky with a core of red and dark berry fruit, fine well-integrated tannins and a long, seamless finish.

This is a wine that has earned a loyal following over nearly three decades as a versatile red wine on its own or at the dinner table. Best served slightly chilled with roasted vegetables or maybe some grilled pork, a bit of spice won’t hurt either.

Treat it like a Joven style Rioja: drink within the first couple of years from release.