2022 Alkina 'Old Quarter’ GSM

95 POINTS

Ned Goodwin

An exceptional wine, mid-weighted of feel, shedding the gristle of youth. Very young. Firm. Sinewy, beautifully wrought tannins. A clench of reduction to tame the fruit sweetness. This wine is so tense – mourvedre plays a part here – marauding across a force-field of dark fruit, leather and smoked meat. Best after 2026.

95 POINTS

Ned Goodwin - JamesSuckling.com

An exceptional wine, mid-weighted of feel, shedding the gristle of youth. Very young. Firm. Sinewy, beautifully wrought tannins. A clench of reduction to tame the fruit sweetness. This wine is so tense – mourvedre plays a part here – marauding across a force-field of dark fruit, leather and smoked meat. Best after 2026. Alkina Grenache Assembly tasting.

95 POINTS

James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion

A 60/35/5% grenache/shiraz/mataro blend. Deep, saturated crimson-purple. An entirely different play to that of its 2021 sibling, emanating polished leather, black licorice and satsuma plum. It isn't just a collection of bits and pieces, the synergy beating a big bass drum of a wine of memorable quality.

95 POINTS

James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion

A 60%/35%/5% blend; deep, saturated crimson-purple. An entirely different play to that of its 21 sibling, emanating polished leather, black licorice and satsuma plum. It isnt just a collection of bits and pieces, the synergy beating a big bass drum of a wine of memorable quality. 130 dozen bottles.

95 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

While the purist in me prefers single-varietal wines, the pleasure seeker (the drinker) loves a blend. Here, in the 2022 Old Quarter GSM, the confluence of varieties creates a soft cushion of flavor in the mouth. This is perhaps not as intellectually driven as some of the Polygon wines, but it undoubtedly has more joy and satisfaction in the glass. There is mineral and fine tannin heaped upon purple fruit and licorice. The tannins are, as with all of the Alkina wines, a prominent feature and yet very finely milled. This is a totally gorgeous wine. I like it a lot.

93 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

Interesting wine. It shows a little more development* than you’d expect of a wine so young but the structure and character here are both top class. Raspberries and assorted fragrant herb notes; leather and medicinal cherry; earth and sweet, yellow, autumnal leaves. It tastes of the Barossa and of itself. Acidity gives the wine a liveliness, as does its light-but-insistent nature. On this showing I’d hook straight into this but the web of (firm) tannin suggests it will keep going for some time. Tasted out of a 100ml sample bottle rather than from the full 750ml bottle.

92 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Vinous

The 2022 GSM Old Quarter has appealing generosity of meaty, spicy aromas underpinned by a rich base of fleshy plums. It then tightens up with licorice and new leather flavors encasing a chewy tannin frame. Overall, it feels a little more approachable and understated than the stellar 2021 vintage, but it will drink handsomely over the medium term.