Having been lucky enough to sit down to this on three separate occasions over six months - and having enjoyed ourselves immensely each time - we can safely say that this is a very fine red. It has a filigree tannin structure. Nice hit of juicy, dark, iodine- and plum-flavoured fruits. Well balanced and soft in the mouth, with cedary oak majestically woven throughout. Stand-out wine. Rich, ripe and oaky, this deep, measured and meaty durif has a fiery, smoky bouquet of dark plums and berries and red cherries plus a sumptuous, faintly raw-edged and drying palate that needs time to settle. Its powerful, gamey fruit and mocha/chocolate oak are framed by firm, polished tannins, finishing with balance and smoothness. Give it plenty of air before drinking
Durif is a cross between Shiraz and the almost unknown Peloursin variety. Intended for the warm, dry climes of Southern France, it is no surprise that the variety has flourished in Rutherglen. Young Durif is a wine of such concentration that it almost seems like a meal in itself! It needs to be partnered with rich dishes such as braised beef or steak and kidney pie. With time it will handle the most special of occasions and dishes, such as a roast rib of beef.
James Halliday says: 94 Bright colour; beautifully perfumed and fragrant varietal bouquet, with freshness and definition on show; the palate delivers freshness and depth, with an attractive sweet spot of flavour on the mid palate; long and luscious, but not over the top. Best Drinking: 2020
Jeremy Oliver says: 90 Rustic and richly fruited, this long, smooth and faintly smoky durif marries some briary, plummy and plum-like fruit with meaty, earthy undertones. It's plump, generous and would be considered more finely crafted were it not for some rather simple, raw-edged oak that appears fairly discordant in its youth, but is likely to integrate better in time.
WINESTATE says: 4 1/2 stars Inky, iodine-like nose that's a touch jammy with floral notes, followed by a big mouthful of fruit flavours with a solid tannin structure and great overall length. 5+
Comprising four varietal wines of distinction, our Family Cellar range was created to be something special from the outset. The marriage of magnificent fruit from sustainable, old vineyards and traditional, hand-crafted winemaking techniques ensure beautifully balanced, elegant table wines that display a true sense of place. Durif has huge colour and can be extremely tannic if not handled carefully so the technique of long maceration, where the skins are left soaking for four weeks, does seem inappropriate at first. However, given long enough, the tannins begin to soften and the structure of the wine is surprisingly supple when the time finally comes to pressing. After pressing in our 1880’s basket press, it spends 20 months ageing in mostly French and American Oak. “A Rutherglen Durif in our style of - iron fist in a velvet glove” says Dan Crane. Rich flavours of berries and liquorice. It has fine powdery tannins and acidity to keep the wine balanced and improving for up to a decade or more.
