2023 Coriole Montepulciano, McLaren Vale

Matured in seasoned hogsheads, with 20% second-fill barrels. Monte is a late ripener, and in a cool year like '23, one might expect some greenness. Not here, with the season showing up in the agreeably tart – but ripe – berry profile and the sprightly finish. Wild black cherry, mulberry, cool raspberry, olive, tobacco leaf, toasted rye and warm bitumen play across a mid-weight canvas, finishing with real vigour and flavour extension.

93 points Special Value Marcus Ellis winecompanion.com.au

Dark, inky, youthful and opaque in the glass. Aromas of plum, mulberry, spice, dried herbs, graphite and bramble. Fleshy, dark fruited, plush and generously flavoured. There’s plenty of plummy juiciness, dark chocolate and sweet spice, along with bright, snappy acidity and firm, textured tannins. Delicious. 02 Nov 2024 Drink 2024–2034

92 points Aaron Brasher therealreview.com

Coriole Montepulciano from McLaren Vale is a bold, dark-fruited red that brings the best of southern Italy’s rustic charm to the warmth and richness of coastal South Australia. Coriole was one of the first Australian producers to champion Mediterranean varieties, and their Montepulciano has quickly become a standout — plush, generous, and perfectly suited to McLaren Vale’s climate and ironstone soils.

The grapes are grown in Coriole’s estate vineyards, hand harvested and fermented in small batches to maintain fruit integrity. After fermentation, the wine is aged in older French oak barrels to round out the tannins and add savoury complexity without overshadowing the fruit.

The nose is vibrant and aromatic, with ripe black cherry, dark plum, violet, sweet spice and a touch of earth. On the palate, it’s full bodied and velvety, offering generous layers of blackberries, dark chocolate, clove and a hint of liquorice. Fine, powdery tannins and fresh acidity keep it balanced, while the finish is long, warm and satisfying.

Food pairing: perfect with grilled lamb, wood-fired pizza, mushroom lasagne, osso buco, or smoky eggplant. Also excellent with aged pecorino, chargrilled sausages or hearty lentil dishes.

Cellar potential: drinking beautifully now with a decant, but will age well over the next 6 to 10 years, developing more savoury complexity and secondary spice.