Tarrawatta Ambervale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018:
Sipping this Ambervale Cabernet Sauvignon now recalls memories of other Ambervale wines tasted last year. They were distinct for their mineral grayness, marked by notes of graphite, rocks, earth, metal filings, and blackberries. This wine mirrors those characteristics, although it's shaped in a Cabernet style. While cassis and bramble notes are present, the wine predominantly relies on its gritty tannin structure, a feature that is quite appealing. Gladly drink this.
Tarrawatta Ambervale Shiraz 2018:
Tarrawatta Ambervale Shiraz is a peculiar wine, but peculiar wines often make me think. The tannins stand out as a real highlight; they possess a pumice stone/pulverized quality that draws the dark purple/gray fruit flavors over the tongue and carries them into a long finish. The wine presents a midnight-dark appearance in the glass, exuding a resiny and dark soul, yet it maintains a sense of detail and focus. Notes of black tea, blackberry/raspberry seeds, fennel, dark cocoa, and graphite add complexity. Overall, it's a wine that prioritizes structure over fruitiness.