Altera Terra is Doug Neal’s new project after Paradise IV.

Deep red colour with a good tint of purple and a charmingly fresh, fruit-driven aroma of red-cherry and subtle spices, pepper included, the palate medium-bodied and attractive, the tannins fine and subtle yet doing their job, while the back-palate has touches of graphite and more pepper. The purity of fruit is lovely and there's really smart line and length to the palate. An elegant style of shiraz that drinks well already and should take some age well. A delicious modern Australian shiraz. Date: May 2021; Alcohol: 13.8%; Price: $65.00; Drink: 2021-2034; Rating: 95 Points; Huon Hooke; The Real Review

Wonder what winemaker, Doug Neal, is thinking here with the name, Sanctus? It’s Latin for holy, but what is holy exactly? Is it the Shiraz grape – there are three separate clones employed here –  the Canberra wine region or a combination of both? I vote for the latter. Canberra shiraz is kicking cool climate goals and here Doug Neal, an experienced Victorian winemaker, branches out across the border and into some pretty exciting territory. The colour says so much, a brilliant purple-garnet, coupling youth and concentration. A pure line of clean, fine tannins drive the energy to this wine, and it has energy to burn. Spice aplenty, too. Sourced from Murrumbateman, the bouquet is all lifted black cherry, blue fruits, baking spices, pepper. Structured yet buoyant, the fruit jumps and shimmies. There’s an elegance here and life, so much life. The spice, pepper component takes off filling the mouth with a delicacy of fruit with a lovely intensity. Spiced plums, lightly toasted vanilla oak from 15 months maturation seal the deal. A most impressive wine with a deep, emerging complexity. Date: Nov 2021; Price: $36.00; Drink: 2021-2029; Rating: 96 Points; Jeni Port; Wine Pilot