2023 Grosset Gaia Cabernet Merlot Organic, Adelaide Hills

Deep ruby laced with purple and a lovely cedar and cassis bouquet of classic cabernet characters. The wine is at the lighter end of full bodied and really elegant, with bright and penetrating flavour, fruit leading the way, with raspberry joining in the party, and a sheen of fine powdery tannins running the full length of the palate. Great potential here. 06 Mar 2025 Drink 2027–2043

96 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

Grosset Gaia Cabernet Merlot is a striking, cellar-worthy blend from the cool slopes of the Clare Valley, named after James Lovelock’s Gaia Theory, which sees the earth as a single living organism. First released in 1990, this wine has become one of Jeffrey Grosset’s most revered reds — a graceful, finely structured expression of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grown at high altitude on the rocky, wind-swept Gaia vineyard at the edge of the Clare Valley.

This blend is typically made from around 85 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 15 percent Merlot, though proportions vary slightly by vintage. The fruit is hand harvested and vinified in small open fermenters, then aged for 18 months in French oak barriques, a portion of which are new. The result is a wine of power and restraint, depth and clarity.

The nose is fragrant and detailed, with blackcurrant, red plum, graphite, violet and hints of cedar and crushed herbs. On the palate, it is medium to full bodied with beautifully integrated tannins, fine acidity and layers of cassis, dark cherry, tobacco and spice. There’s a cool herbal thread and mineral drive that speaks clearly of site, structure and longevity.

Food pairing: perfect with roast lamb, beef Wellington, wild mushroom risotto, venison, or hard cheeses like aged Mimolette or Comté. Also excellent with braised short ribs or herbed pork loin.

Cellar potential: outstanding. While drinking beautifully after a decant in youth, Gaia is built to age gracefully over 15 to 20+ years, developing notes of cigar box, earth and leather with time.