MAYFORD WINES OVENS CROSSING 2023 – GOLD 95 Points

A blend of 40/40/20% tempranillo/cabernet sauvignon/malbec. Cold soaked, natural yeasts, fermented separately, blended to French barriques for the first 12 months, then older oak for 11 months. A wine only released in ‘exceptional years’. The winemaker builds layers of flavour and texture in her wines, revealing an old-school attention to detail. First impression is a wine smooth and elegant; second impression, you start to see the minutiae: blackstrap licorice, high spice notes, black cherry, blueberry, bay leaf, dark chocolate, dried herbs, pepper and amaro bitters. Three distinct grapes tied beautifully to a blended, fine-tannined whole. This is difficult winemaking territory, done well.

Jeni Port – Halliday Wine Companion