"Gobsmacking. A raptor on nose and palate, locking on without hesitation. An insane iodine and black fruit perfume conjures up images of a dementedly talented parfumier going to work with the rarest musks and scents. The sense of heady Balkan tobacco alone is hypnotic. I have waited a long time for this wine to move from a ‘high-gold’ to perfection, and it happened in one fell swoop in 2020. Shiraz co-fermented with 9% Viognier." 100 pts Matthew Jukes, Decanter
"The Descendant is a Shiraz Viognier blend, co-fermented. This year, the 2020 Descendant comprises 91% Shiraz and 9% Viognier; the vineyard is in Marananga and was planted in 1994, from cuttings form the RunRig vineyard. It matured for 20 months in second fill French oak barriques, previously used for the RunRig. In every way (price, vineyard source, cepage, maturation), this wine is a baby RunRig, although there remain some stylistic differences in the mouth. For one thing, this 2020 Descendant has been matured (as mentioned) in older oak, so the imprint of oak flavors is more subtle. While there is no denying that the texture has an extreme slick and polish (it is almost thick in the mouth, truly plush) from the high percentage of Viognier, the wine is pure and glossy and exuberantly fruit driven. The tannins, which exist very much within the wine, are savory and exotically spiced: star anise, clove, hints of cardamom, licorice, red dirt and iodine. This is very good, luxurious, enveloping, sybaritic, with lots going on." 96+ Erin Brookes The Wine Advocate
"2020 Descendant is gobsmacking. I have long adored this wine and have often sung its praises from the rooftops. However, I never thought it could capture my senses in the way it does in 2020. A raptor on nose and palate, locking on without a moment’s hesitation, there is an insane iodine and black fruit perfume here that conjures up images of the most dementedly talented parfumier going to work with the rarest musks and scents imaginable. The sense of heady Balkan tobacco alone is hypnotic. I have waited a long time for this wine to move from ‘high-gold’ level to perfection, and this graduation happened in one fell swoop in 2020. So few Syrahs/Shirazes on the planet can do what this wine does, both from an aromatic standpoint and from a sheer hedonistic and seductive stance. This is an incredible creation, and I am thrilled to inform you that it can be approached within the next twelve months, such is the aromatic bliss and ambassadorial fruit welcome that 2020 Descendant offers the drinker. 20/20 (2024 - 2035)" Matthew Jukes Top 100 Australian wines 2023
