2023 Old Quarter
Vibrancy and freshness are the key characters of the cool 2023 season. Characters of rhubarb, raspberry and earthy beetroot perfectly represent the three constituents of the blend. Juicy red fruit frames an opulent palate with lightly rocky texture and fine tannin adding definition and length.
Estate grown and made
Certified organic and biodynamic fruit
[VARIETIES] 55% Grenache, 28% Shiraz, 17% Mataro.
[ALC] 14%
[PRODUCTION] 291 dozen
[CELLARING] 10+ years
So perfumed and pretty, with dark aromas of blackberry compote, boysenberries, mulberry bush, fresh figs, graphite and spices. The palate is plush, with a rounded mouthfeel and fine-tuned tannins that have a minerally and metallic edge from aging in concrete. A vibrant and focused release of this cuvee, made from 55% grenache, 28% shiraz and 17% mataro. Wonderfully balanced. Drink or hold.
96 Points, Ryan Montgomery, jamessuckling.com
The 2023 Old Quarter is a composition of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro and is a representation of the oldest part of the vineyard at the Alkina estate in Greenock. This year, it's led by Grenache with 55% of the blend, 28% Shiraz and 17% Mataro. In terms of vineyard segmentation, this includes Polygon 4, 1 and 2, old blocks 5 and 6 and old block Mataro 3, all planted by Les Kalleske in the mid-1950. This is supple and balanced, with plenty of the chalky tannic support that we have seen in the other Polygon wines. The different seasons yield differences in the final cépage. This is an herbal, spicy, austere, pure, fine wine of impact and circumstance, and it shows the delicacy that is possible in Barossa. It's a lovely wine, more rustic than the refined Polygons but attractive for it. Approximately 70% whole bunch was used in the fermentation (the Mataro is routinely whole berry). 14% alcohol, sealed under cork.
94 Points, Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Vibrant ruby red with a purple tint into the rim. Raspberry, rose and bresaola aromas. Medium weighted with a slipperiness to the blue and red fruited palate that really appeals. Rose and musk notes, with a deep ageing meat undertone that fills towards the back of the palate and fine tannins bring everything together with style and grace. There’s purpose to the power here, with a subtlety that beguiles
95 Points, Stuart Knox, The Real Review
Mid but translucent crimson with some blue in the colour. Stonily fragrant, a lightly herbal/stemmy style of pure, mostly dark but also dark-red fruit. Intensely fragrant without smelling sweet. There's plenty of fruit at the core but again it's not sweet but it is vibrant. Extremely fine and elegantly dry tannins, excellent freshness, giving an intense yet fine-boned wine. Juicy, succulent yet refined with a very long, mouth-watering aftertaste, though I doubt the acidity is particularly high. It's a conundrum because it's replete with fruit yet the overall impression is extreme elegance. The tannins add to the freshness. Subtle yet intense and long. Deliciously dry finish. 14% Drink 2026 – 2033
17/20 Points, Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com