Nestled in the mountains of northeastern Victoria, just outside the picturesque town of Beechworth, lays the Savaterre vineyard. The site was “discovered“ in 1996 by Keppell Smith, owner and winemaker, after an expansive search through Australia’s quality wine regions. The mild summer days, cool climate elevation combined with the rolling foothills of the Victorian Alps was the magic “terroir” combination sought by Keppell.

This is a delicious, juicy, fragrant wine. Lifted aroma of dewy rose petal, sour cherry, pomegranate, raspberry and ripe red berry fruits, exotic spices with a subtle gamey truffle finish. Pure, focused and precise with great length, texture and persistence. An elegant wine of depth, complexity and finesse.

Earthy, cherry, spice, dried rose and liquorice root, quite exotic with maybe, and don’t mind me, something of a quality Nebbiolo character about it. Dark cherry and spice, richness here and a little earthy, some blood orange, a light chew to supple powdery tannin, some high cocoa dark chocolate in the mix, and intriguing autumnal tones. Length is excellent. It really blossoms with time in glass, revealing more layers and complexity, yet what I like most is that it’s a wine of distinct character and personality. A very strong release. Date: Nov 2023; Alcohol: 13.5%; Price: $85; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2024-2035; Rated: 95+ Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front