Dark, inky and opaque in appearance. Heady aromas of mulberry, plum conserve, graphite, ferrous earth and sweet spice. Opulent and inviting. The palate is plush and full bodied with plenty of plum, blackberry, prune, spice and pudding flavours. The tannins are soft and caressing and the acidity does its thing to deliver cut and freshness. A stylish wine. Points: 93/100
Flaxman Valley, planted around 1965, sitting at 450 metres above sea level. Heady seems to be seeking higher altitudes for his wines in recent years. Blackberry, liquorice, orange peel, dark spices. It’s dark fruited, but with a chocolate orange zestiness, lively acid crunch, almost a chamomile and dried herb mouth-perfume, raw almond, some dry nutty chew to tannin, with a dark, spicy and zesty XMAS cake (or panforte) finish of good length. Points: 93/100
