Top 10 award-winning eco-friendly wines from the Organic Masters 2020
25th June, 2020
by
Patrick Schmitt
7. Gemtree Ernest Allan Shiraz
- Producer: Gemtree Wines
- Region: McLaren Vale
- Country: Australia
- Grape variety: Shiraz
- Abv: 14.5%
- Vintage: 2018
- Closure: Natural cork
- Approx. retail price: £30-50
- Medal: Gold – Organic Wine Masters 2020
Named after the grandfather of Gemtree’s present day biodynamic viticulturist, Melissa Buttery, this is one of the top wines from this highly respected organic and biodynamic Australian wine producer. A pure Shiraz from McLaren Vale, it reflects the power, quality and personality of this grape and region combination when the management is expert – as it is under Gemtree’s team.
So what does it taste like? It’s a dense and thrilling wine with plenty of plums and blackcurrant fruit, along with a touch of black olive and pepper, and a pleasant creamy and toasty character from barrel-ageing. What makes it especially appealing however is the structure of the wine, which is concentrated with masses of rich ripe fruit, but not sweet and heavy – there’s a lovely fine chalky dry tannin sensation on the finish, even a touch of cherry stone freshness. In short, it’s a wonderful red, although I should add, very much in its infancy.