I’m really excited to announce the release of my first wine under the RED by Caroline Dunn label. It’s a 2017 Barossa Valley Mataro, a variety that’s often underrated, but holds the status of local hero here in the Barossa.

Mataro, which is also known as Mourvèdre or Monastrell, is a variety that’s been around for a very long time, first introduced to Australia by James Busby who brought the first vines into the country in 1832. The Barossa has some of Australia’s oldest Mataro vines, also laying claim to the oldest Mataro vineyard in the world, planted in 1853.

Mataro is often blended with Grenache and Shiraz in the Rhone-style blends (it’s the M in GSM), but more and more winemakers are discovering its charms as a standalone wine. It’s full of character and allure, and while it has rustic stamped all over it, it can also be made into a very sleek, modern style.

So for me, this was an obvious choice to showcase quintessential Barossa-ness. I love to make modern wine styles from traditional varieties, giving them a new lease on life in the 21st century.

The fruit was selected from the Sonntag vineyard in Stonewell and Wattlebird Estate at Light Pass, each built on terrific terroir and meticulous viticulture – great pedigree that brings out the best in a variety that’s brim-full of regional character.

An uncomplicated approach to winemaking allows the fruit to speak for itself. Gentle handling during fermentation on skins in small, traditional open fermenters, has allowed for optimum extraction of flavour and fine, balanced tannins. The wine was matured in seasoned, spicy oak for 12 months to soften and develop richness and complexity without picking up dominant oak flavour.

Delightfully evocative of its earthy Barossa roots, it’s an expressive, graceful and captivating wine. Complex dark purple fruits, savoury notes, exotic spices and hints of violet florals on the nose follow through to a sleek, supple and lively palate – medium-bodied, with plenty of soft, generous fruit and long, satiny tannins.

I hope you enjoy it!

RED by Caroline Dunn Barossa Valley Mataro 2017 is available exclusively through Naked Wines Australia