At first, the wine is subtle, almost reticent, yet that restraint only deepens its intrigue. After a moment, complex aromas begin to emerge: dark cherry fruit layered with black plum and morello cherry, framed by warm oak spice and a breath of undergrowth. There is tension in the bouquet, a balance between richness and something more mysterious, a suggestion of forest floor mingled with fresh earth and a hint of smoke.

On the palate, the wine delivers weight and energy in equal measure. Saturated, bound fruit cores are pulled taut by firm, structured tannins; the richness of dark berry flavours gives way to leathery accents and savoury nuance. A sense of intense phenolic substance reveals itself without heaviness. Cool night-time temperatures in March preserve the wine’s acidity so that brightness runs through the heart of the richness; each flavour emerges in turn.

The finish is lingering, formidable and resonant. Wood influence is evident yet well-integrated, providing framing rather than dominance. There is a lingering echo of black fruit, spice and earthy complexity that carries on well beyond the final sip.

MacMuir’s deep, heavy silt soils, higher vine density and diverse clones combine with meticulous canopy and vine management to yield fruit of power and precision. With 30 % whole bunches in fermentation, indigenous yeasts, wild malolactic conversion, barrel ageing (thirteen months, twenty percent new French oak), and no fining or filtration, this wine reflects both artistry and place. The vintage’s dry summer and slow, even ripening add further layers of intensity, making this a wine that rewards both immediate admiration and patient cellaring.