The Islander Estate Vineyards Tempranillo, 2023, Kangaroo Island, Australia

Region Kangaroo Island Country Australia Type Red Grape Tempranillo Style Juicy, savoury, supple. ABV 14.5% Closure Screwcap Method Sustainable A French winemaker, a Spanish grape and an Australian island. Three very different addresses, one very good bottle. About the wine What happens when a French winemaker with 25 years of experience making Tempranillo in Spain decides to give the grape an Australian address? Something rather delicious, as it turns out. Jacques Lurton, the French winemaker who fell in love with Kangaroo Island and saw the potential to bring a little European winemaking tradition to this wild corner of South Australia. Jacques knows Tempranillo rather well. After more than two decades working with the grape in Spain, he decided to take inspiration from the youthful, fruit-driven joven wines of Rioja, but with a distinctly Kangaroo Island character. The grapes come from a vineyard near American River, leased from a good friend. Just a few tonnes are hand-picked each year, fermented in concrete tanks and left on their skins for six weeks before ageing in seasoned French oak. The result is a wine with plenty of character, without the heaviness. Tasting notes Juicy black cherries, ripe plums, a little vanilla and mocha, followed by liquorice, tobacco leaf and a savoury touch of cured meat. Supple and fruit-forward, with fresh acidity and just enough tannin to keep things interesting. Food Pairing Suggestions Spanish tapas, naturally! Think chorizo, patatas bravas, grilled peppers, jamón or meatballs in rich tomato sauce. It would also be brilliant with lamb skewers, smoky aubergine or a generous plate of charcuterie. About the winemaker In 2000 Jacques Lurton planted an 11 ha vineyard near Parndana in Kangaroo Island's heartland and christened the estate 'The Islander'. Close planting to restrict yields and increase concentration, fermentation in concrete tanks and old-fashioned basket pressing, plus quality fine-grained French oak, all combine to produce wines with great structure and longevity.