Mal does love a red blend. And this blend from Hilltops is a classic with a twist 40% Mourvedre, 35% Shiraz, 25% Touriga. Aromas of violets, dark plums, ripe cherries and an earthiness that leads into a long palate, fine tannin structure and a very easy drinkability.

Food matches: pair me with aged rib eye, potato gratin, or portobello mushrooms baked in the oven with olive oil and garlic.

Drinking well now or cellar for 10 years.

Vintage: 2023

Region: Hilltops

Vineyards: Freemans

Varieties: Mourvèdre 40%, Shiraz, 35%, Touriga 25%

Alcohol: 13.2%

Production: 250 dozen 

Vinification: The Hilltops fruit was machine harvested giving mostly whole berries and some stalks into 780 litre picking bins. The varieties were fermented separately with wild and commercial yeast being used. Once fermentation had started it was plunged 3 times a day until nearly dry, when all bar one 1 bin was pressed and racked to 6 hogsheads (French barrels) - 1 new the rest 2, 3, 4 years old.

One bin of Mourvèdre was left on skins for an extra 2 weeks, and then pressed and racked to join the others. In barrel for 10 months before being bottled, unfiltered on the 18th January.