2023 Bondar Violet Hour Shiraz

Violet Hour is a blend of fruit from 10 blocks in Bondar’s Rayner vineyard, one of McLaren Vale’s better known vineyards. Each block has a different aspect, and soils range from deep sand with ironstone rocks to clay over limestone. The Shiraz vines are some of the oldest on the property, reaching 70 years in some blocks. Whole bunch and destemmed fruit is used, and the juice spends varying times on skins, depending on the block. The wine sees only seasoned oak, usually for a period of around 10 months.

A beautifully balanced, gorgeously shaped, power packed McLaren Vale Shiraz.

Dense midnight black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Captivating the olfactory senses are intense spicy dark plum, liquorice, blackberry and blueberry scents gently infused with clove, fennel, smoked meats, vanillin cedar and blackpepper. Rich, opulent and concentrated the palate is awash with succulent dark plum, liquorice, blackberry and blueberry fruits. Polished yet sturdy tannin structure with fresh acidity brilliantly counterpointing the lavish layers of fruit. Notions of fennel, smoky vanillin cedar and peppered meats also chime in to lend further interest. Boasting outstanding power and depth it concludes long, juicy and peppery.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews....
Mainly from the sandy patches of the Bondar home Rayner vineyard from the top of the hill, with a small portion from lower down on clay and limestone. The value here has always been super keen. That’s as true as ever with this iteration from a cool year, typically lifted and fragrant but also with some serious import. A tick up from mid-weight, this is spicy and peppered ferruginous minerality, along with blackberry, dark cherries, tapenade, violet, cassia, bay, coffee bean and salted licorice. Red berries swell up on the palate, with a thoughtfully woven skein of tannins underwriting its class. Excellent. Drink by 2024.
96 Points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion