Tasting Notes

Our first GSM release under the Horse & Cart Series from estate vineyards located in McLaren Vale, South Australia.

Composition:  64% Grenache  |  20% Shiraz  |  16% Merlot

The grapes are de-stemmed, leading to a softer blend on what would generally be bigger & bolder.  The grapes ferment 7-days on the skin, and the richness comes through in the mid-palate. During the fermentation, which took place in 2-tonne open-top fermenters, the juice was splashed down on its own grapes twice, daily.  This helps keep everything wet and introduces oxygen to the fermentation, then aged for 9 months in a blend of both French and American oak The merlot pulls the expected blueberry and chocolate covered coffee bean on the nose.  On the palate, the dark black cherry skins and rich blackberry give way to touches of smoke, bacon, red earth, and dried rose petals.  The wine is textured, yet medium bodied, with an acidity that complements food extremely well, but can stand alone just the same. Best paired with smoked meats, fried chicken, stir fry, veal parmigiana, semi-soft white cheeses.

The Horse & Cart Series stands as a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of Giovanni Amadio, the first generation winemaker of the Amadio family. During the early days, he traversed the Adelaide markets in a horse-drawn cart, delivering his freshly harvested produce. Inspired by his Nonno’s indomitable spirit and bold personality, Danniel Amadio created this range to reflect this.