2019 Mystery Barossa Aglianico Deal No. 22

93 POINTS

Q Wine Reviews

Aglianico is the bass player in the band. A sturdy, reliable type that hits the right notes consistently. This release from the After Five Wine Co is an engaging cuddle in a glass. Generous with a dash of energy, it's a wine that grows on you. Winning! There is plenty to peruse. Licorice headlines the opening with black currants and black cherries sliding in. Time in the glass delivers berry pie delight with some pastry feels too. Rubs of earth along with dried herbs add detail to a long and persistent finish that gradually softens. Puckering and drying, moisture is slowly drawn from the mouth with fine brush strokes of cocoa and powdery tannins having the last say. It's a terrific drink for cool nights and D&M chats. Drink to eight years+

93 POINTS

Angus Hughson

This is a really impressive and great value version of Aglianico and without doubt one of the nation’s best, although there is not a hell of a lot of it planted around the country. What makes this Aglianico special is it manages to carry what can in some cases be overwhelming acidity and tannins thanks to the raw power of well-ripened Barossa Valley fruit. Deeply coloured, there is a delicious brightness and freshness to the aromas despite obvious intensity – beetroot, dark cherry and balsamic aromas flood the senses. In the mouth it hits you like a freight train – punchy, peppery, dark, earthy and meaty fruits in a full-bodied package with chewy, mouthfilling tannins which give bite to a long and savoury finish. It’s big, no doubt, but also beautifully structured and will get even better as those tannins settle with time in the cellar.