Coal River and Derwent Valleys and East Coast; 14-30 yo vines; hand harvested; partial wild fermentation; matured in 34% new French oak barrels. The 2020 harvest was no walk in the vines for the Bay of Fires team, but wines like this make all the effort worthwhile. Spicy red and black berry fruits are well supported by toasty French oak. Fine, mineral tannins and bright, cool-season acidity do not easily unite, but here the synergy is compelling, and demands a decent rest in the cellar to reveal its finest. Drink to 2035.
Tyson Stelzer. August, 2022