95 Points - Marcus Ellis
Bondar Wines was declared "A superstar estate, but a down-to-earth one" in the recent Halliday Wine Companion 'Top 100 Wineries of 2025'. Ranked the nations' 29th best winery on this distinguished list, it underlines the big impression Bondar has made since its first vintage back in 2013.
Another brilliant rendition of this classic blend, the 2025 Bondar Junto is a vibrant, fresh red wine with plenty of personality and a wonderful level of drinkability. Junto is Spanish for ‘together’, and in this case means a union of old friends; with the 2025 vintage a blend of Grenache (72%), Mataro (13%) and Shiraz (8%) and Counoise (7%)
All the fruit was wild-fermented with approximately 20% whole-bunches, then raised in old oak for eight months. The blend is put together with the idea that Grenache is the hero, with Shiraz supporting with flesh and the Mataro with spice, structure and tannin. The Carignan adds further finesse and complexity to the palate.
"95 Points. 72/13/8/7% grenache (Rayner site and the Trott Vineyard)/ mataro (Willunga)/ shiraz (Rayner)/ counoise (Rayner). There’s some bunch in the grenache, and the wine was raised in 1700–2700L vats. The medium-weighted, accessible, everyday drinking red from Bondar, a wine made to fit the climate and culture of the region. And this nails it, again. Red fruits, pomegranate, cranberry, tart raspberry, rose petals, a background of dried herbs and spice. But it’s no disposable vin de soif, so informed it is by fine tannic detail, crunchy acidity and lingering flavour resonance. Such a beautiful thing. $32. Drink: 2025 - 2028. 14% alc."- Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion.
