2019 Alkina 'Old Quarter' Red Blend Barossa Valley
The ‘Old Quarter’ is relatively new, as Alkina was born in 2015 under the watchful eye of wine impresario Alejandro Bulgheroni. Their portfolio is focused on terroir, respectfully tending old vines with a modern, biodynamic philosophy that embraces individuality. ‘Old Quarter’ stems from small, unique plots with distinct flavor profiles to create a beautiful meld of traditional, dark-fruited Barossa with killer, food-friendly acidity.
WA95+
Wine Advocate
The 2021 Bordeaux Red Blend is the first iteration to include a significant amount of fruit from Farrow Ranch, Aperture's latest vineyard acquisition. It's a blend of 44% Merlot, 27% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc and was matured for 18 months in 50% new French oak. It has slowly unfurling scents of red and black currants, chocolate-covered cherries, integrated new oak spices, tobacco and tapenade. The palate is particularly elegant, balancing concentrated, nuanced flavors with a frame of velvety tannins and vibrant acidity that calls you back to the glass. This 2019 Old Quarter GSM is fine and striking—the concentration of fruit is unmarred by oak, but has textural complexity and plushness in the mouth. The tannins in this wine are pliable, whippy and omnipresent, while bringing extreme pleasure and freshness to the wine. It has form and shape. Vitality. Purity. Finesse.
James Suckling
From the oldest vines on the property (60 years), this has a floral nose with violets and roses, stemmy whole-bunch influence and plenty of red berries and blueberries. The palate has a fresh, upright feel with quite assertive but supple tannins. Plush, brambly berry flavors. The bunchy firmness needs time to settle in. A blend of 50% grenache, 30% shiraz and 20% mataro.