Dune Empty Quarter GSM

Blewitt Springs has this incredible ability to turn out reds that are intensely savoury rather than just massive fruit bombs, and the Lloyd brothers at Dune have nailed that brief here. This isn't your standard, jammy McLaren Vale GSM blend. They’ve gone for a mix of mostly grenache and shiraz, backed up by a splash of mataro, focusing heavily on the sandier soils of their block to keep the whole thing bright.

It is a medium-bodied red that gives you plenty of substance without any cloying sweetness. You get a massive hit of dark forest berries, juniper, and a really cool, cured meat character that keeps it firmly in savoury territory. There is a wild, peppery edge that runs straight through it.

The texture is what makes it so good. It starts out incredibly juicy but quickly tightens up, driven by fine, gritty tannins and a hint of dark cocoa bitterness on the back end. It is just exceptionally smart, unforced winemaking that delivers a stack of character for the price.