BASSHAM WINES 2023 RIVERLAND TANNAT ($35 / Riverland, SA)
South Australia’s Riverland Wine region is becoming a super star in the emerging varieties firmament despite it being the country’s largest bulk wine producing region. This is because a growing number of small boutique producers are springing up and focusing on mainly Mediterranean grape varieties which weather the hot, dry climate much better than traditional varieties.
Once such star is Bassham Wines who grow a wide array of emerging varieties, such as today’s wine the superb Bassham Wines 2023 Riverland Tannat.
It is deep, inky purple bordering towards black in colour, it has a big bright bouquet of the typical Tannat roast beetroot aromas coupled with a splash of fresh herbs, making it very attractive. The palate is big, rich, beautifully rounded with lashings of great appealing flavours and is quite complex for such a young wine. This is coupled with gentle elegant tannins to give a graceful, long lingering finish.
Unlike French Tannat that need a decade to become drinkable, this beauty is raring to go right now.
This excellent, very moreish wine is part of the range of 21 wines on offer at www.basshamwines.com , which includes my favourite white the Spanish Verdejo.
This review is well timed, as this Sunday I will be attending a comprehensive tasting of Bassham Wines at the Blackwood Winemakers & Brewers Club (www.bwbc.org.au), so more reviews anon.
Dan Traucki