d'Arenberg 2008 The Sticks and Stones

McLaren Vale winemaking icon d'Arenberg this year celebrates its 100th birthday - and the range is bigger and more eclectic than ever. This is one of the more "out there" blends in the range, a combination of Spanish grape tempranillo, local favourite shiraz and two Portuguese grapes, tinta cao and souzao, both rarely seen outside the Douro. What I liked most about this wine were the savoury notes allied to the impressive fruit intensity and interest you generally find in d'Arenberg wines. An earthy, delicatessen nose leads on dark cherry/mixed spice flavours with sous bois hints. This a smooth, mellow wine, content in its own skin but with an interesting Latin attitude. $30.