Henschke 2025 The Nurturer

 

This new release blend from the Henschke family has a calm, quiet charm about it. It clearly comes from a place of contentment. It is named in honour of family matriarch Prue Henschke, a viticulturist, botanist and environmentalist behind the organics practiced across the family's vines. The Nurturer is a most unusual combination of southern French varieties grown in the Eden Valley: carignan, counoise, grenache gris, grenache noir, clairette, cinsault and shiraz (each variety added in harvest order). It works brilliantly if you like your reds a little less blockbuster, a little more contemplative. Aromatic and vibrant with lively red and black fruit notes, we paired this with savoury Middle Eastern bourekas, thin layers of pastry filled with cheese and pepperberries. Excellent value at $40. https://www.henschke.com.au/

Devil's Lair 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon

 
This was my personal standout at a recent Treasury Collective portfolio tasting event for wine media. Drinking brilliantly in its youth, it is fresh, vibrant and ready to enjoy with red meat dishes. It is dark with blackberry and cassis flavours allied to classy French oak, showcasing fruit from the warmer north of Margaret River. What is immensely impressive is how stylish and elegant it is. There is serious poise and structure here. With a retail price of under $50 it is no surprise that this is virtually sold out at cellar door, but there is still some in retail land if you move quickly. Highly recommended. 96 points. $50. https://www.devils-lair.com.au/