Jasper Hill 2024 Heathcote Shiraz ‘Georgia’s Paddock’

"Sweet Maduro cigar wrapper, creme de cassis liqueur, panforte studded with orange peel, and bitter chocolate all percolate through the darkly alluring aromatic profile; yet, there is also a sensation of lightness, perhaps an earthy, ore-like mineral touch that lends freshness. Aeration brings further gems from the ground: sweet spice and pipe tobacco, toasted hazelnuts, cooked plum, and hints of anise and hoisin. The palate, coming almost as a shock, is fresh and vibrant - youthfully vigorous with structuring, cut-from-stone tannins that refine to fine granularity. There is a fanning out here that is simply marvellous. At the heart of all this structure is a sumptuousness, the velvet fist in the iron glove. Chocolate, hazelnuts, panforte, crushed blackberry, espresso roast coffee grounds all make up the core, with complexifying notes of bay, anise, and orange rind. There is a sensuousness here that will be fully revealed in a decade. Very fine indeed." — David