As I understand it, Virgin Hills was a true single vineyard wine. The vineyard was planted in 1968 (yes, I'm reading the back label) with Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec and Merlot, and the wine contains whatever comes out of that vineyard (so the proportions will change slightly from year to year as varieties yield differently).
For those who are interested, here's the back story: https://www.virginhills.com.au/. The website tasting note for this wine states:
Appearance Medium purple, magenta
Aroma Pure menthol fruit, minty and fresh, with hints of spice.
Palate The palate exhibits flavours of mint and blackberry. A good acid and tannin balance prevails with a strong core of menthol and eucalyptus.
At 17 years of age, the tasting note is still relevant. After what I suspected was an off wine and a dose of VA, it has cleared into something special / maybe unique. The mint / menthol is prominent, and the spice notes are heading more towards leather and tobacco (although blackcurrant is still there). It is obviously well developed, and there's a number of different things happening here. Savoury as well as mint with charcuterie.
The palate is definitely soft and moderate acid, as a result of age and development, and it's not the most solidly structured wine, but this is an experience (as many aged wines can be). It's not perfection in a glass by any means, but it is certainly a 'time and place' highlight.
I have one more bottle in the cellar. Who wants to be my friend now?
Cheers
Allan
