Winbirri Signature 2016

For anyone seeking an English red to challenge preconceptions, this is the wine. Winemaker, Lee Dyer, looks to Rioja for inspiration for his red winemaking, and that shows through clearly here with this wine – made from Dornfelder – spending 18 months in old and new American oak.

The colour is deep, purple-hued and vivid, as is the nose of plums, kirsch cherry, black fruit and mocha spice.

The taste will surprise and delight many – this red has great body and excellent concentration of dark cherry and bramble fruit flavours. The lightly chewy tannin and generous spiced notes on the finish leave a sublime lasting impression.

I served this on New Year’s Day with Peking Duck, and it was a triumph!