It’s been 3,751 days since I started this blog, and in that time I’ve posted 788 wine reviews, including this one. Of all those bottles, this is my first Gamay. That surprises me more than anyone. I’m no “top of the charts” reviewer with a legion of followers, but even so, you’d think a Gamay would have slipped in somewhere along the way. I’ve certainly enjoyed my fair share of Gamays over the years yet somehow, until today, not one has made it onto these pages. So, thank you Ekin Wine Co, a producer whose wines have recently become a part of my blog, for sharing this delightful example for me to try.
Gamay has been slowly but surely finding its footing in Australia over the past decade as with pockets in the Adelaide Hills, Tasmania and Victoria, giving it room to show its lighter, more expressive side. It’s still far from mainstream, but the producers who champion it tend to do so with real varietal intent. This is achieved by small plantings, thoughtful and judicious handling, and a focus on fruit purity.
Region: Adelaide Hills, S.A. Price: $25 (Absolute Bargain!) Source: Samples thanks kindly to Ekin Wine Co
Normally, colour isn’t something I mention unless it captures my attention. This Gamay did! It’s bright and vibrant yet deep and luminous. It’s damn nice on the nose too. On the palate there’s plenty of flavour and texture, all carried by that aromatic freshness you notice straight away. Gee it sits pretty on the taste buds. Sounds strange, but it’s the best way to describe it. It’s bunchy, delightfully berry‑basket‑fruit forward, with black and blue fruits leading the way and cherries and raspberries playing the perfect supporting role, rightfully making it all about the fruit, with just a hint of white pepper on a persistent finish. This may be a really good Gamay, but it’s also just a really good wine and worth every cent and then some.
Words from a Wine Glass 