Lethbridge Hugo George 2006

A very impressive, surprisingly structure-driven and well-proportioned Super-Tuscan-influenced red. Fresh red fruit on the nose combines with some tobacco, cedar, Mediterranean herbs and freshly dug up mushrooms. Assertive yet well-behaved tannins. There’s still a lot of further aging potential in the fruit department; noticeably more so in the tannins. All in all, an outstanding blend. Highly recommended.

For the common man, the word “terroir” seldom sparks interest in Australia. This term is usually reserved for regions such as Chablis, Pomerol or Mosel. But we would be foolish to say there is no terroir in Geelong. Especially when you’re talking to Ray Nadeson, winemaker and owner of the, now, world-famous Lethbridge. Before phylloxera was discovered, the Moorabool Valley in Geelong was the largest grape-growing region in Victoria. In recent decades, new vines have been planted and the region is undergoing a resurgence, with winemakers and consumers rediscovering all the richness this piece of land has to offer. Lethbridge is a leader among these wineries ? focusing on forward-looking, provocative wines.