JM 1ST APPROACH

Having been part of Spinifex line up since the project's inception, Indigene is the stalwart of this trio. As always, it is based on the Barossa's wonderful resource of old-vine Mataro (aka Mourvèdre) sourced from tiny pockets of vines on the region's eastern fringes. Aromatically seductive with spice-dusted cherry and raspberry fruit, it is a textural, seamless and very long wine.

2010 has a strikingly deep array of flavours on the palate: black cherry, blackberry, roasted meat and liquorice, plus again that floral edge. The mouth feel is velvet smooth yet not the least bit sweet - the powdery, super fine tannins keeping everything fresh and morish. The Mataro comes from a trio of sites including old vines rooted in the sandy clays of Kalima as well as Tabor, east of Tanunda, while the Shiraz component (40%) is a selection of the oldest vines - and henceforth the lowest yielding material - that Pete has access to. Each variety is treated separately; the Mataro raised in large format oak to preserve its subtle aromatics while the Shiraz sees some barrique and a single 600 litre demi muid. This is Barossa at its most stimulating, well-structured and age-worthy.

I go to great lengths to give red wines of greatness every chance to reveal themselves: double decanting, an assessment on the spot, a retaste half a day later and again the following day. On opening, this mataro shiraz blend showcased polished black fruits within a rustic, brittle tannin exoskeleton of firm, mouth-filling, earthy mataro tannins. Half a day later, little had changed, and it was not until the next day that its true personality finally began to unravel: deep, alluring and well-defined black cherry and sweet black plum and blackberry fruits, nuanced with cola, liquorice and high cocoa dark chocolate." 95 points, Tyson Stelzer, Wine Taste Weekly
 
Always a big wine, this needs a serious decant, as it opens up tight and taut, but with time, the rich and ripe fruit starts to express itself, with a real density and weight to the nose, slowly opening up to reveal pungent fruit, dark raspberries, black cherry, plums and dark berries, with earth, star anise and other spices, hints of Dutch liquorice, black tea and much more. The longer its open, the more it reveals, and the more intriguing it becomes.

Its full bodied, and the palate has real weight and intensity, but lovely balance built in. It fills the mouth first with dark raspberries, then dark plums, then spices, hints of spicy pepper, leather, chocolate, and much more. The Mourvedre is dominant early, but will settle into the wine with time, which is just what this dense beast needs! Its closed, its tight, but its also full of absolute class, with real structure, some firm but ripe tannins, on a very long and firm finish. Great wine in the making, but very expressive already! - the auswine panel

You can unscrew the cap and hook into this mataro shiraz blend immediately – and it will shine. But give it time to breathe, and you’re in for a mesmerising treat. Spinifex: fully credentialled “new Barossa”. If I was in the mood for a Barossa red – I can’t think of too many I’d reach for ahead of this.

Drinkability and class in a well structured framework. Ground spice, mixed berries, chicory and licorice. There’s a dry, chocolatey element here but it seasons the wine only – it doesn’t seem to add sweetness. This wine feels fine on the tongue but it doesn’t lack fruit. Beautifully well balanced. Complex. And long. Gold medal standard. 94 points Winefront

Pete Schell's 2010 reds exemplify the cutting edge of the modern Barossa style - exotic spice interwoven with polished black fruits of controlled magnitude and captivating textural structure. This skilfully fuses brittle mataro to a fleshy core of shiraz. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 'Top class' Taste Top 100 wines