The 2019 Native Goose GSM is concentrated and minty. The oak sits astride the fruit in the mouth and rides it a bit, but the fruit that bears the weight of it is laden with blackberries, raspberries, dark chocolate and licorice. The finish is abrupt.

Taut, with modest dark berry and spice flavors under a mild grip of tannins on a medium-weight frame. Needs time to soften. Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre. Best after 2015. 1,100 cases made, 250 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / McLaren Vale Select to Add

The Cape Barren winery, which hails from McLaren Vale, was founded in 1999, so there is not a lot of history. The 2012 Native Goose GSM is a blend of 57% Grenache, 37% Shiraz and 6% Mourvèdre. This dark ruby/plum-colored, straightforward, medium-bodied wine exhibits some dusty, loamy soil notes intermixed with hints of roasted herbs, black cherries and raspberries. This elegant effort tastes rather cool-climate, without the opulence and richness found in most McLaren Vale wines. However, I liked its emphasis on finesse. Enjoy it over the next several years.

Medium to deep garnet in color, the 2011 Native Goose GSM has a wonderfully fragrant nose of warm red berries and red cherries with underlying lavender, rose petal, cinnamon stick and white pepper hints. Medium-bodied with plenty of juicy, red berry and spice flavors in the mouth that are structured by a medium level of velvety tannins and racy acid, it finishes with very good persistence. Drink it now to 2017+. Cape Barren does not currently have an American importer.

Blended of 58% Grenache, 38% Shiraz and 4% Mourvedre, the 2010 Native Goose GSM has a deep garnet-purple color and notes of black raspberries, blueberries and ripe cherries with underlying nuances of cloves and allspice. Medium to full bodied with mouth-filling vibrant berry flavors, it has a medium level of fine grained tannins, crisp acidity and a long finish. Drinking now, it should keep to 2015. Cape Barren does not currently have a USA importer.