2022 Old Quarter Magnum
An elegant, perfumed blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro from the Old Quarter of the Alkina vineyard, planted in the 1950s. This is a pure expression of the character of the site that we arrived at by splitting it into its constituent geological parts before blending to find beauty, character and harmony.
Estate grown and made
Certified organic and biodynamic fruit
[VARIETIES] 60% Grenache, 35% Shiraz, 5% Mataro
[ALC] 14%
[PRODUCTION] 250 dozen
[CELLARING] 10+ years
While the purist in me prefers single-varietal wines, the pleasure seeker (the drinker) loves a blend. Here, in the 2022 Old Quarter GSM, the confluence of varieties creates a soft cushion of flavor in the mouth. This is perhaps not as intellectually driven as some of the Polygon wines, but it undoubtedly has more joy and satisfaction in the glass. There is mineral and fine tannin heaped upon purple fruit and licorice. The tannins are, as with all of the Alkina wines, a prominent feature and yet very finely milled. This is a totally gorgeous wine. I like it a lot.
95 Points, Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
A 60%/35%/5% blend; deep, saturated crimson-purple. An entirely different play to that of its 21 sibling, emanating polished leather, black licorice and satsuma plum. It isnt just a collection of bits and pieces, the synergy beating a big bass drum of a wine of memorable quality. 130 dozen bottles.
95 Points, James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
As dark as the 2021 Old Quarter but more purple at the rim and more smudgy. The fruit smells even darker and more savoury, but also a pinprick of more vibrant dark-red fruit, like raspberry. The fruit not quite as open as the 2021, doesn’t have that smell of sweet ripeness. Tannins are both firmer and yet thicker/smoother. Overall even more savoury, more embryonic. somehow charry even though there is no oak. Utterly refined and unshowy. Immeasurably long with hidden depths.
17.5 Points, Julia Harding, jancisrobinson.com
An exceptional wine, mid-weighted of feel, shedding the gristle of youth. Very young. Firm. Sinewy, beautifully wrought tannins. A clench of reduction to tame the fruit sweetness. This wine is so tense – mourvedre plays a part here – marauding across a force-field of dark fruit, leather and smoked meat. Best after 2026.
95 Points, Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com
The 2022 GSM Old Quarter has appealing generosity of meaty, spicy aromas underpinned by a rich base of fleshy plums. It then tightens up with licorice and new leather flavors encasing a chewy tannin frame. Overall, it feels a little more approachable and understated than the stellar 2021 vintage, but it will drink handsomely over the medium term.
92 Points, Angus Hughon, Vinous
