TASTING NOTES FOR Hentley Farm Villain & Vixen Grenache Shiraz Mataro Barossa Valley South Australia 2025

🍷 Appearance
Bright ruby red with vibrant crimson and purple hues. Youthful and lively in the glass, showing excellent freshness and attractive depth of colour.

👃 Aromas
Lifted and highly expressive, with wild raspberry, blueberry and ripe red fruits complemented by fragrant rose petal and pink peppercorn. Floral and spicy notes bring additional complexity while maintaining the wine’s vibrant fruit character.

👅 Palate
Juicy, vibrant and beautifully balanced, with raspberry and blueberry flavours flowing through the palate. Grenache provides fragrant red fruit and brightness, Shiraz contributes richness and depth, while Mataro brings savoury character and structure. The 2025 blend is led by Grenache at 47%, with Shiraz 36% and Mataro 13%.

🍈 Texture & Finish
Medium-bodied with a soft, supple texture and fine, gently grippy tannins. Fresh acidity keeps the wine energetic and beautifully balanced, leading to a persistent finish of red berries, blueberry and peppery spice.

🍇 Overall Style
A modern and wonderfully approachable Barossa GSM, focused more on elegance, freshness and vibrant fruit than sheer power. Fruit is sourced from vineyards across the Western, Northern and Southern Barossa and Eden Valley, with the wine matured for nine months in seasoned French oak.

🍽️ Food Pairing
Perfect with grilled lamb cutlets, slow-roasted pork, gourmet sausages, wood-fired pizza or chargrilled vegetables. Its juicy fruit and savoury spice also make it an excellent match with Mediterranean-style dishes and relaxed barbecue fare.

⭐ BBD Verdict
A deliciously vibrant Barossa blend with wild raspberry and blueberry fruit, fragrant florals and a lovely peppery edge. Soft, fine tannins and excellent freshness make this immediately approachable, while the Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro combination delivers plenty of flavour and character. A terrific all-round red that’s made for sharing around the table.

Cheers
Peter Turnbull
Better Buy The Dozen 🍷