Touriga Tempranillo 2023 combines two varieties not often seen together outside McLaren Vale's more experimental producers, pairing Touriga's floral lift with Tempranillo's savoury grip. It sits a deep, bright garnet in the glass, with real vibrancy showing at the rim.

Violet and dark berry aromatics sit over dried cherry and leather-like savouriness, a combination that reads more perfumed than either variety shows alone, with a faint dusty spice note tying the two together. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with firm tannin balanced by that same floral lift on the finish, and a savoury undertone that keeps the perfume from becoming sweet or one-dimensional.

The finish is long, spiced and lightly floral, closing dry with a faint peppery note lingering last of all.

It suits richer, spiced dishes — a Moroccan-style lamb, chorizo or anything with warm spice in the sauce.

There is enough structure here to hold for a couple of years, though it already shows well with a little time in the glass, and a decant beforehand will only help it open up further.