2018 Castagna Un Segreto Syrah Sangiovese Beechworth

Deep red with a tinge of purple, the bouquet lovely mixture of spices and red fruits, clove, gentian violet, balsamic herbs and red cherry. The wine is lean and intense across the tongue with taut, firm tannins which are tightly coiled and the whole package is very elegant and long-lasting in its finish, the tannins fine and discreet but quietly persuasive. The sangiovese drives the wine; the shiraz perhaps adding a little extra richness to the finish. (60:40 sangiovese to shiraz) 20 JUL 2022 Drink 2022–2032

94 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

As always, a blend of sangiovese and shiraz here. The fun fact of me having grown up with the Castagna’s in suburban Sydney has been bandied about before, but a reminder nonetheless. When I think about Julian and Adam making this wine, all sultry and svelte, sexy and succulent, Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty plays atmospherically, with appropriate sound dynamics, as the two dance a quiet waltz in the twilight of a Beechworth harvest evening.

This is a heck of a wine. Hyper fragrant, dried roses, game meat, cherry, fresh and pickled, judicious if not liberal clove and cinnamon seasoning, a flighty, fresh herb freshness. The perfume is seduction. In the palate, tannins etch shape, dark berries and that meatiness get a dusting from clove/cinnamon and the wine rolls along with firming texture and a general sense of gourmand deliciousness. Serious wine, brilliant wine, delicious wine. More to come with cellaring too. Iconic.

96+ points Mike Bennie winefront.com JUL 2022 Alc 13.5% Drink 2022 - 2035+

Sangiovese & Shiraz

Aromatically complex with aromas of freshly turned earth, cigar box and sour cherry linked by lovely floral notes. The palate is vibrant and fresh with subtle notes of fine grained oak framed by fine powdery tannins, which gives the wine a textural richness. Cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise and cardamom add complexity. Dry and savoury without any hint of sweetness bringing together the best of both varieties.