Vinoculation

Another wine from the stables of Wallington in the Central Ranges of New South Wales. This boutique outfit also makes olive oil and is currently progressing through organic conversion. Nice.

I’m unsure what “Rockdell” refers to, other than the obvious that the fruit is sourced from a rocky dell or valley. This blend is made up of roughly equal thirds Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre with just a smidge of Petit Verdot. The nose smacks you with an uppercut of ripe, plummy fruit, both red and black spectrum, with hints of tar, liquorice, pepper, prune and leather.

Deft acid handling keeps the palate lively and vibrant, showcasing the swathes of fresh and dried berry fruit, with the oak adding some richness and depth to the tannin. The front-palate mouthfeel begins slippery and slick, gaining some coarser traction as it spreads throughout and finishes slightly chewy, robust with grainy tannins. It’s a rustic style that captures the typicity of the blend well, best drunk with food as a young wine (a rare rump steak worked well in my case). This is definitely a cellar-worthy prospect, built with oodles of structure, and sure to be even more interesting and enjoyable in a decade’s time.