Bondar Junto GSM 2023 is a Southern Rhône-inspired blend that captures the essence of McLaren Vale's terroir. Crafted with a focus on drinkability and finesse, this wine is a testament to Bondar's commitment to producing elegant, approachable reds.

A Southern Rhone style blend that is intended to be unpretentious and an easy to drink, bistro style. The Grenache leads the blend with its pretty red fruits and perfume, and the other varieties help to 'complete' the wine, elevating it to a more complex and balanced place. The main contributors to this are the Shiraz which adds flesh, and the Mataro which gives savoury spice and some structure. The Cinsault contributes high-toned red fruit flavours and lightness from its 11% alcohol, and the Carignan gives deeper, darker flavours with a beautiful herby lift and structure. The wine is aged entirely in old French oak hogsheads to allow gentle micro-oxygenation without contributing any overt oak flavour.  - Bondar Wines

Tasting Notes:

The 2023 Junto GSM offers a bouquet of blue and red florals, wild raspberry, and bright red cherries, complemented by hints of Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, it presents a medium-bodied profile with a fine netting of natural tannins and a vivid line of acidity, culminating in a refreshing finish. Enjoy now or cellar for up to 5 years.

This versatile red pairs beautifully with a range of dishes, including grilled lamb, charcuterie, and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Its balanced acidity and subtle tannins make it an excellent companion to both hearty and lighter fare.

Halliday Wine Companion - 94 Points
"This is 65/16/8/8/3% grenache/shiraz/mataro/cinsault/carignan. It feels even finer and more elegant than prior. A cool year, yes, but it feels like evolution, too. Either way, what a charming thing it is, redolent of blue and red florals, just-picked wild raspberry and bright-red cherries, along with hardy Mediterranean herbs. It’s not just about front, though, with a fine and complex netting of natural tannin and a vivid line of acidity. What elevates it is skipping the easy path of pulpy frivolity for a gastronomic architecture and lightness of feel." - Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion 2024

Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia

Vintage: 2023

Blend: 65% Grenache, 16% Shiraz, 8% Mataro, 8% Cinsault, 3% Carignan

Alcohol: 13.8%

Fermentation: Wild ferment with approximately 20% whole bunches

Aging: Aged entirely in old French oak hogsheads to allow gentle micro-oxygenation without contributing overt oak flavor