Heirloom Vineyards, McLaren Vale (South Australia) Touriga 2017

 Touriga is widely regarded as the single finest red variety of Portugal (which helps explain why the Portuguese refer to it is “Touriga Nacional”).  It is famously refined but also robustly tannic, which makes it is great candidate–theoretically–for planting in a warm, sunny region such as McLaren Vale.  This is the first wine that has taken me from “theory” to “practice” on its suitability for Australian winemaking, and it is utterly convincing in the glass.  Deeply pigmented, it looks formidable, and yet the aromas are quite inviting, with topnotes of violets and spices as well as ripe red fruit.  On the palate, the fruit shows both red and black tones, with excellent acidity for a warm growing region and tannins that are grippy but never aggressive, thanks to the forgivingly plush fruit.  Terrific wine…and quite reasonably priced in view of its stellar quality.  A Platinum Award winner at the 2018 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge.