Ruggabellus 'Timaeus' 2014

Abel Gibson’s Grenache based blend made up of 83% Grenache, 14% Mataro and 3% Cinsault. Fruit here is mainly taken from Krondorf, which seems to have given the wine quite a bit of depth whilst managing to maintain a deft touch of finesse and light-footed gracefulness. In keeping with most of his wines, Abel has captured a huge amount of pepper and spice in this Timaeus blend, which is aided by a complex array of dried herbs including clove, rosemary and oregano. The persistence of flavour is great and the wine finishes relatively savoury despite the sweet red fruit that is at first, quite present on the front palate. Mataro and Cinsault add structural elements to the wine as does the near 40% whole-bunch although this seems to have been a seamless inclusion as it is not as visible as in the Fluus, for example. Highly recommended. – FWC.