"a tremendous bargain"- Marcus Ellis | Last Stocks
Based out of the renowned Rayner vineyard in McLaren Vale, Bondar wines has made a big impression on the Australian wine scene. Established by husband and wife duo, Andre Bondar and Selina Kelly in 2012, their commitment to crafting exceptional wines has been widely lauded, including being named James Halliday's 'Best New Winery' back in 2017.
The 2022 Bondar Violet Hour Shiraz is crafted from hand-picked fruit from 65+ year old fruit planted on the Rayner Vineyard in McLaren Vale. Beautifully fragrant on the nose, the palate is silky and soft, while still delivering intensely flavoured dark red fruit flavours. Another beautiful rendition of McLaren Vale Shiraz that is a relative bargain at this price.
"95 Points. Fragrant and vivid, this comes off Rayner vineyard blocks planted mainly to deep, sandy soils. Batches are fermented with varying levels of bunches, berries and time on skins; 10 months in seasoned oak. The aim is to express the perfume that sandy soil can yield in the fruit, framed but unobstructed by elaboration to bottle. And what a success it is. Blackberry, blueberry, cherry and damson plum scented with purple florals, anise and clove, a ferrous mineral note tempering. Mid-weight, supple of texture but shored up with a fine, detailed net of tannin – and that mineral tension – this is harmonious and poised, everything serenely balanced, unstretched. To echo an earlier review, this is a tremendous bargain. $35. 14% alc. Drink by 2032"- Marcus Ellis, winecompanion.com.au.
