2022 Polygon No.1 Magnum
A savoury and intense expression of Shiraz from 6 rows of 70 year old vines. There are charcuterie notes with cassis and white pepper. The mid palate volume and intensity is impressive, with a scratchy tannin making its weight seamless and the texture captivating. This wine will continue to improve with age and will reward long cellaring.
Estate grown and made
Certified organic and biodynamic fruit
[VARIETIES] 100% Shiraz
[ALC] 14%
[PRODUCTION] 746 bottles
[CELLARING] 10+ years
Deep cherry red. That telltale dusty-mineral note of Antonini's favourite concrete vessels. The fruit is pure and dark, just a touch peppery. Peony scent, too, but there is restraint and elegance here. Subtle, dry tannic finesse, such fine tannins, beautifully dry on the finish.
Score 18, Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Shiraz sourced from the quartzite and schist soils of the 1950s-planted Polygon No. 1 on the winery's Greenock estate; 50% whole bunches and matured in unlined concrete tulip and egg. Bright magenta-splashed crimson with characters of macerated blood plum, blueberry and boysenberry with an array of Asian spice tones, crushed flowering and amaro herbs, black pepper, powdered ironstone, pressed flowers and more distant glimpses of sarsaparilla, graphite and roasting venison. Calm, deep and resonant with a graphitey, powdered rock wildness and firm-yet-fine ferruginous tannins. Looking very much 'Hermitage'-like in its structure and palate travel. 746 bottles produced.
96 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
The 2022 Polygon 1 Shiraz is grown on schist and quartzite, and leads with an incredibly distinct nose: savory, meaty, fleshy... corporeal. When I asked Amelia Nolan (winemaker) why the wine is labeled as Shiraz and not Syrah, she said, "Well, Alkina is Australian and an Australian project, and Shiraz is Australian. So, we called it Shiraz." Is it light and mouthfilling at once, with levity and elegance, drive and depth. This is a cool wine here, distinct. It's another exciting evolution of this Alkina project! 14.39% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
94 Points, Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
svelte, moreish, exotically fragrant and prodigiously detailed expression of Barossan shiraz, built from a foundation of levity over obvious power. Far from the Madding Crowd. Pithy, dried black olive, bergamot, licorice strap, violet and a murmur of licorella pungency. The sub-strata of this vineyard is limestone dominant, bolstered by clay. Little or no schist, apparently. The finish is pixelated and long, drawn taut by a vibrato of energy. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
95 Points, Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com
Full and bright ruby-red core, vibrant purple shines through the rim. Blueberry, hot gravel and pencil shaving aromatics. Deep and dense core of black and blue fruits but the driving force of this wine is its savoury elements, dried herbs, black pepper, dark stones and dried blood all fill the senses with their intensity. Tannins are powerful and drying, ensuring the wine drives incredibly long and deep, almost never ending.
96 Points, Stuart Knox, The Real Review
The well-composed 2022 Shiraz Polygon No.1 opens slowly but then delivers a rich tapestry of roasted olive, licorice and clove aromas with a gentle meaty edge. Palpable tension underpins flavors dominated by spice before tightening up to a tangy finish. It is understated and needs a couple of years in bottle to flesh out.
92 Points, Angus Hughson, Vinous
