The Hunter component (52%) is sourced from the Ridgeview and Pokolbin Estate vineyards, the latter home to Thomas’ flagship Kiss Shiraz, which wasn’t produced in 2020. The McLaren Vale component (48%) is from Barry Clarke’s vineyard in the Blewitt Springs subregion. In terms of the winemaking, the components were fermented in stainless steel separately and blended very soon after pressing, pumped over twice a day and matured in used French hogsheads for 16 months.

Each component playing its part, the Hunter fruit brings its bright blue fruit and spice to the nose, while McLaren Vale presents its darker fruit, fleshy texture and deliciously chewy tannin structure on the palate. Expect ripe berry fruits and warm baking spices flowing through a plush mouthfeel with supple tannins and cleansing acidity. Like it’s white sibling, it a wine that over-delivers on quality for the price.