2022 Vanguardist X Tonic GSM

Max 6 per customer

A colab wine 10 years in the making. Glenn Barry (TONIC) and Michael J. Corbett (Vanguardist) now colloquially known as Barry Corbett have come up with a barrel select blend of Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvedre from McLaren Vale / Barossa Valley / Clare Valley. 

Summed up perfectly by Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

It’s a collaboration between Vanguardist and Tonic. 56% McLaren Vale, 25% Barossa Valley, 19% Clare Valley. 46% Grenache, 36% Shiraz, 18% Mataro. Glenn and Michael go Penfolds. Ha ha. This is a tank sample of the final blended wine, not yet bottled (will be tomorrow), and while I don’t normally review such things, they assure me it will be identical to the final product. If you put the two winemakers names together you’d get Barry Corbett, which I think is an incredibly good Australian sounding name to go with.

Very purple in colour, and taste. Cherry, raspberry, blueberry, a little baking spice, hazelnut, a sweet sort of clod earth character, and dried flowers. It’s medium-bodied, juicy and vibrant, fairly pops with its mix of red, black and blue berries, crushed rock tannin, a little nutty and savoury, with super cool acidity and a very long finish. Strawberries in the aftertaste. It’s a beautiful wine. Such composure and energy.

Rated : 95 Points
Tasted : Mar23
Alcohol : 13.6%
Price : $38
Closure : Diam
Drink : 2023 - 2030+