95 Points - Q Wine
One of the Barossa's most skilled winemakers, Tim Smith retains a clear focus on the region's proven varietals. Purposefully Mataro dominant, the 2021 Tim Smith Mataro Grenache Shiraz delivers the plush fruit flavours that we've loved in previous vintages. A Barossa red wine with an enormous amount of charm, this is another ripping release from Tim Smith.
'95 Points. Many Barossa producers make a GSM, but not Tim Smith. His epic crush on Mataro ensures he twists the blend slightly to deliver an MGS. He hasn't missed the mark either. He rarely does. This is a brilliant wine for 30 bucks. Smith loves Mataro so much that he produced his first-ever Rosé from the variety last year. Up until last year, he said he'd never make a Rosé. Never say never. Don't bother chasing any either. It sold out in quick time. As ever, Smith's fingerprints are all over this MGS, as is his trademark thumb print on the front label. Meticulously handled with judicious thought behind the process, the fruit sings. Juicy Mataro is playful and joyous lassoing pretty Grenache to play an impressive support role. Some meatiness, fine ripples of chocolate, the raspberries and blackberry fruits are just plush. The Mataro and Grenache just waltz through the mouth leaving Shiraz the final word with delicate spices. Curiously, it's a 58/21/21 blend, I would have thought the Grenache percentage was much greater given how forward it is. Overall, this is a smashing blend. Just glorious. Barossa 2021 is a killer vintage and this exemplifies what is in store. Run, don't walk. Drink to five years.'- Qwine, February 2022.
"94 Points. Nice to see the M before the G. Exotic spice, blackberry, boysenberry, new leather, lavender, toasted almond. It’s fleshy and meaty, a little ripe raspberry in the mix, a panforte thing happening with that spice and dark chocolate, chewy tannin, crisp acidity, spicy and dark through a long finish. Excellent, kind of brooding, but still offering vigour and all in drinking pleasure. Tasted: Feb22 14.5% alc. $30 Screwcap Drink: 2022 - 2029+"- Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.
