Description

Magpie Estate SF2 is a 65/35 blend of Mataro and Grenache. These guys make my kind of Grenache let me tell you. This is their take on ‘natural’ wine: The grapes were picked on a fruit day, wild yeast fermentation. No additions apart from a minimal sulphur addition. Aged only 4 months in old oak barrels. The wine has had no fining or filtration. It is jammy red fruits with tobacco and aniseed. The palate is dry and showing some development. Magpie Estate SF2 is gloriously a drink now wine.

A long-standing partnership between UK wine merchant Noel Young and one of my favourite winemakers Rolf Binder. The fruit for Magpie Estate is sourced from outstanding vineyards all over the Valley and made with Rolf’s skilled hands. Silky, full-flavoured and amazing value wines.

Barossa Valley

One of the major wine regions of Australia. Known for making great Shiraz by any standard as well as Grenache, Mataro, Semillon and much more. There has been a lot of work finding the sub-regions that excel for each style and variety planted.

Mourvedre (Monastrell)

Also known as Mourvedre in France and Mataro in the new world. It is makes a muscular, tannic, meaty, savoury wine. It is often the backbone of a blend but in places like Alicante, Jumilla and Yecla it is the major if not only variety in the red wine. Aging can vary depending on winemaker influence.

Grenache/Garnacha

Spain’s gift to the world. We know it as Grenache and I think everyone has a soft spot for it in some way. Almost too exuberant in expressing its sweet red fruits and high alcohol, it often needs a little bit of other wines to add moderation, structure and depth. Much like Abbott and Costello. Despite this, the wines of Priorat, Chateauneuf du Pape, Rioja and Aussie GSMs have an amazing ability to age for the long term.