This may seem a bit odd, however, as I’m not a well-known wine reviewer, when I am lucky enough to receive some wines to check out, occasionally from a new producers like this one, there’s a bit of fanfare from me. When the Beresford wines arrived, this GSM seemed a bit of an outlier amongst the number of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from the same range. Funny how often those unassuming bottles end up being the ones that shift your whole thinking. A couple of swirls, a sniff, a taste, and suddenly you remember why you love doing this.

McLaren Vale. The region that seems to have a sixth sense for knowing when you need something that is not your ‘usual’ GSM. Delightfully flavoursome but never over the top. A region that has been doing GSMs long enough to know exactly how to walk that line. This one didn’t try to impress me with swagger, not in the slightest. It just seemed to wander over with a cheeky grin and say, “Relax my friend, I’m about to take you on a enjoyable journey.” And, it really did…in the best possible way!

Region: McLaren Vale, S.A.     Price: $25 (Absolute Bargain)     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Beresford Estate

Bright red fruits lead the way. Cherries, raspberries and a touch of strawberry giving the nose a lively and fruit forward lift, even a plummy-ness adds depth to the brightness. The palate is mid‑weight and juicy, with red currants, blueberry and plum bringing clear, defined flavours and a nice little bit of toastiness (yep, best way I can describe it) makes an appearance. Silky tannins keep everything smooth and balanced. The finish is fruit driven, lightly spiced and very approachable. A flavoursome, delicious, easy‑drinking GSM with plenty of charm that I just adored. Gee this is good!