2008 Battely Durif

Long time Vintage Direct readers will be familiar with the blockbuster Durifs from Rutherglen, the variety's spiritual home in Australia, Warrabilla’s “hippo in a tutu” bottlings in particular. In presenting the 2008 Battely Durif we pose an interesting question - what do you get when a vigneron plants the variety in the cooler, higher reaches of Beechworth? The result is a richly textured yet more refined, lifted and elegant expression of a big Aussie red varietal – forget the hippo, perhaps more like a giraffe in a miniskirt?

A stupendous red wine experience...
Typical for Durif, this wine displays outstanding saturated black crimson colour with very deep black crimson hue showing excellent glass cling. Nosing reveals intense aromas of ripe morello cherry, dark chocolate, liquorice and spice. Possessing monumental concentration the palate delivers mouthfilling flavours of liquorice, morello cherry and black plum followed by some dark chocolate with a spicy back palate. Exceptional power and depth. The tannins are firmish but in perfect balance to the enormous volumes of fruit. Very long aftertaste of liquorice, morello cherry and spice. From the get go, a stupendous red wine experience. More like a bear in a bow tie?
Cellar 5-6 years (2016-2017).
Alc 15.5%