2016 Grosset Nereus

Certified organic this is a Shiraz based blend complimented by the inclusion of Nero d’Avola. Maturation took place in French oak barriques of which 35% new for 18 months. Impenetrable midnight black core with a very deep dark red black tinged hue. Pronounced dark plum, liquorice and black cherry aromas are intermeshed with smoky cedar, dried meats, fennel and blackpepper. Fleshy rich dark plum, liquorice and black cherry fruit shows impressive finesse gliding into back palate elements of smoky dried meats, scorched earth, traces of fennel and blackpepper. Finishes with balanced fresh acidity, velvety yet sturdily built tannins and a long aftertaste.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.7%

Other Reviews….
There is only a touch of nero d'Avola with the shiraz that makes this wine so individual. It is luscious and rich, complexity courtesy of finishing fermentation in French barriques (35% new) and maturation in barrel for 18 months. The velvety mid-palate is trimmed on the finish by a savoury/licorice twist adding yet further to an already complex wine. Drink by 2036.
96 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion

As Mike Bennie previously explained last year: “The Nereus wine, new to the Grosset stables, is sourced from grower vineyards rather than Grosset’s own. It’s mostly shiraz though nero d’avola found its way into the wine.”
It’s certainly an interesting shiraz. In fact, almost un-shiraz like. Cherry-plum flavours for sure but undergrowth, meat, woodsmoke and dusty herb characters. Lavender too, arguably. It feels as though it walks its own road. It’s medium-weight, strung with fine-grained tannin, measured and complex at once. It hasn’t arrived yet, it’s on its way, but it’s good. Drink 2021 - 2029+
93+ Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front (May 2019)