2023 Dune Empty Quarter Shiraz Grenache Mataro, McLaren Vale

A blend of shiraz, mataro, grenache, touriga nacional and cinsault, picked at the same time and co-fermented; about 12 months in seasoned oak. Year on year, this offers such exceptional value. The varieties, though all dedicated contributors, somewhat fall away here, which is testimony to the cohesion of the wine. It’s medium weight, cut through with ferrous mineral notes, blue/purple florals, cracked pepper and warmed whole spices. Blue and red fruit notes fill the palate, along with fermented salami and dried woody herbs. Such a beautiful balance of the savoury and the vibrant; made for the table.

95 points Special Value Marcus Ellis winecompanion.com.au

Dune's The Empty Quarter is a distinguished red blend from McLaren Vale, crafted by brothers Duncan and Peter Lloyd, who are part of the renowned Lloyd family of Coriole fame. Their vineyard, situated in the Blewitt Springs sub-region, is known for its deep sandy soils over yellow clays, providing an ideal terroir for cultivating Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro, and a touch of Touriga Nacional.

A medium-bodied wine that showcases glossy purple fruits, including mulberry and dark cherry, complemented by sweet sage flower, aniseed, cured meats, and white pepper notes. The palate is juicy, featuring blue and dark fruits like plum and blueberry, with a hint of dark cocoa, supported by fine, long tannins that are supple and succulent.

This wine has received significant acclaim, including a Gold Medal at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show and a Trophy at the Sydney Royal Wine Show for the 2022 vintage. James Halliday awarded it 96 points, describing it as "a beautifully detailed and handled wine that is a super-elegant version of standard GSM.

The next Generation of the Lloyd family (Coriole) planting their flag in the Vale.

A new project from brothers Duncan and Peter Lloyd, Dune wines sees them step out from the shadow of Coriole wines. Sourcing fruit from a single vineyard in the Blewitt Springs sub-region of Mclaren Vale. Organic in conversion, this sandy vineyard has been completely re-imagined since being purchased by the brothers in 2009. Planting and grafting over southern Mediterranean varietals has seen them create a unique range of blends alongside some classic and so2 free shiraz.

Whilst McLaren Vale is not a large region it is geologically diverse. The Blewitt Springs sub-region is known for deep sandy soils on yellow clays. Shiraz typically ripens later here than other parts of McLaren Vale and displays different characteristics. The sandy soils typically produce shiraz of lifted dark fruit, floral and meaty notes, the tannin is fine yet chalky and the wines are often medium bodied rather than full.