Paralian Mataro 2023

Black fruit with an ashy, savoury feel overall. Hints of rust and black olive - all nice varietal characteristics. I love straight Mataro (Mourvedre) but sometimes you come across examples that are a bit dull, bland and soft. The better wines, like this, embrace Mataro for what it is: burly and gravely and rustic. Don't turn to Mataro for something suave and elegant - embrace the variety for a wine that speaks of a hot and dry climate without sacrificing freshness. - Ches Cook, FWC.

A new wine for Paralian. This is Springs Hill Mataro, planted in 2001. Meaty, spicy, lavender, orange peel, blackberry. Medium-bodied, deep, dark and ferrous, dried herb and black olive, plenty of grainy tannin grip, albeit slightly grape pippy and bitter, very savoury, very Mataro, indeed, to its bootstraps and down to its leather shoes. You have to love the style, but this is authentic and very good. 93 points. - Gary Walsh, Wine Front.