2025 Domenica Gamay, Beechworth

Peter Graham is mad for Gamay.

Cherries, dried flowers, spice and cracked pepper, slight new leather and nori. It’s medium-bodied, saline and savoury, cherries, lovely stony/graphite tannin makes itself known but sits neatly inside the wine, and there’s a rose and violet mouth-perfume, which is quite the thing, then fresh on a finish of excellent length. Super!

94 points, Gary Walsh, Tasted : Mar26, Alcohol : 14%, Drink : 2026 - 2032

Gamay feels wonderfully at home in the cool, elevated vineyards of Beechworth and Domenica’s take on the variety shows just how compelling it can be in Australian hands. The estate, founded by winemaker Peter Graham after formative years working in Burgundy and beyond, has built a reputation for wines that combine European inspiration with clear regional identity. Carefully farmed sites on granitic soils allow Gamay to ripen with bright fruit expression while retaining the natural acidity and perfume that make the grape so engaging.

A vivid ruby red with a translucent edge signals its lively personality. Aromas lift immediately with wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry alongside violet, white pepper and a gentle earthy nuance. There is a joyful freshness to the bouquet that feels inviting and pure. The palate is medium bodied and silky, juicy red fruits flowing across fine, supple tannins with hints of cranberry, spice and crushed stone adding interest. Bright acidity keeps everything energetic and mouthwatering, finishing long with a savoury, lightly mineral echo.

This is the sort of red that suits relaxed moments and unfussy food. Lightly chilled on a warm evening, shared with charcuterie, roast chicken, grilled sausages or mushroom dishes, it delivers effortless pleasure. Drinking beautifully now while its vibrant fruit and charm are front and centre, though it will hold nicely for three to five years as subtle earthy complexity develops. A beautifully authentic Beechworth Gamay that reflects Peter Graham’s thoughtful, quietly confident style.