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Bondar Junto Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2023

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Bondar Junto Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2023
Producer Bondar
Region, Country McLaren Vale, Australia
Bottle Size 750ml
Case Size 6
Product Code 23261-750

Junto is Spanish for ‘together’, and in this case means a union of old friends: Grenache (65%), Shiraz (16%), Mataro (8%) and Carignan (3%). The Grenache is culled from three separate blocks: the lion’s share is from Bondar's own Rayner vineyard with the balance coming from the Trott Wilpena and Slattery Vineyards in Blewitt Springs. The Shiraz is also home-grown Rayner fruit (70-year-old vines on sand), while the Mataro was sourced from a grower in the foothills of Willunga on the famed Kurrajong soils. The tiny addition of Carignan was drawn from young plantings in the Rayner vineyard.

All the fruit was wild-fermented with approximately 20% whole-bunches, then raised in old oak for eight months. The blend was put together with the idea that Grenache heroes, with Shiraz supporting with flesh and the Mataro with spice, structure and tannin. The Carignan adds further finesse to the palate and contributes to the complexity. As always, Junto is a lively, vibrant wine with the restraint, energy and sheer drinkability that was once hardly known in the McLaren Vale.

Bondar Junto Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2023

Reviews

"Frisky red fruited style with a smattering of dried herb and lemon zest. It’s light to medium-bodied, strawberry and orange rind, light grip of tannin, kind of edgy in character, though I like the fresh spiced and sappy strawberry thing it offers. There’s something like ozone or coal dust in the mix too, and the finish is lively, spicy and red fruited, with a Campari-like bitterness. Fun wine, could take a light chill even."
91 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
“Made with approximately 20% whole bunch including a portion of carbonic maceration and matured in French hogsheads and puncheons (10% new). A medium-bodied, fragrant and elegant wine that opens up with red and black fruits, floral notes, pink peppercorns and blood orange. On the palate, this has real grip, intensity and persistence, and this will totally reward those who still have some in their cellar a decade from now.”
95 points, Philip Rich, The Wine Companion
“This is a delicious blend of grenache-dominant southern Rhône varieties. Kirsch, forest, whole bunch accents, peppercorns and cloves along a long, spicy ride. Prosaic in the very best sense, destined to be chilled and poured in large drafts. Drink now. Screw cap.”
93 points, Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com

Reviews

"Frisky red fruited style with a smattering of dried herb and lemon zest. It’s light to medium-bodied, strawberry and orange rind, light grip of tannin, kind of edgy in character, though I like the fresh spiced and sappy strawberry thing it offers. There’s something like ozone or coal dust in the mix too, and the finish is lively, spicy and red fruited, with a Campari-like bitterness. Fun wine, could take a light chill even."
91 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
“Made with approximately 20% whole bunch including a portion of carbonic maceration and matured in French hogsheads and puncheons (10% new). A medium-bodied, fragrant and elegant wine that opens up with red and black fruits, floral notes, pink peppercorns and blood orange. On the palate, this has real grip, intensity and persistence, and this will totally reward those who still have some in their cellar a decade from now.”
95 points, Philip Rich, The Wine Companion
“This is a delicious blend of grenache-dominant southern Rhône varieties. Kirsch, forest, whole bunch accents, peppercorns and cloves along a long, spicy ride. Prosaic in the very best sense, destined to be chilled and poured in large drafts. Drink now. Screw cap.”
93 points, Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com

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