2023 Dune The Empty Quarter

Dune is a project of brothers Duncan and Peter Lloyd (next generation Coriole) using fruit sourced from their vineyard in the Blewitt Springs sub-region of McLaren Vale. The Empty Quarter blend is composed of 38% Shiraz, 24% Mataro, 21% Grenache, 10% Touriga Nacional and 7% Cinsault. The varieties are picked together and fermented in open top concrete fermenters for around 10 days on skins. The wine is then pressed off into seasoned oak for approximately 12 months before bottling.

A highly savoury blend packed with juicy blue and dark fruits.

Deep black dark red heart with a dark purple black tinged hue. Alluring scents of dark raspberry, liquorice and dark plum and blueberry are delivered with plenty of intensity followed by hints of violet, earthy incense and fragrant herb notes. Mid weighted and refined in its feel, juicy dark plum, raspberry and blueberry fruits meld into a subtle liquorice, earthy incense and peppered herb back drop. Possessing slightly dryish but otherwise polished tannins, it shows ample freshness through the highly savoury finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.3%

Other Reviews....
A blend of shiraz, mataro, grenache, touriga nacional and cinsault, picked at the same time and co-fermented; about 12 months in seasoned oak. Year on year, this offers such exceptional value. The varieties, though all dedicated contributors, somewhat fall away here, which is testimony to the cohesion of the wine. It’s medium weight, cut through with ferrous mineral notes, blue/purple florals, cracked pepper and warmed whole spices. Blue and red fruit notes fill the palate, along with fermented salami and dried woody herbs. Such a beautiful balance of the savoury and the vibrant; made for the table. Drink by 2031.
95 Points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

Blewitt Springs. Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro with a little Touriga Nacional. I’ve read all the Dune books, though I’ve not yet seen either of the new films.
Such a pleasing wine to drink. Blue and purple fruit, coal dust and ozone, sage and thyme, some dried flowers, pastrami and aniseed. It’s medium-bodied, has a distinctly ‘mineral’ feel to it, with fine dusty and peppery tannin, a quiet juicy blueberry succulence, and it’s also quite savoury, bresaola and Spanish black olive, I reckon, with a gently sticky and tactile finish of excellent length. Fresh. Spicy. Yum. Drink 2024-2029.
94 Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front