2024 Whistler Divergent S.M.G

This is the ultimate Sunday afternoon red - totally unpretentious and built for easy drinking. The Divergent blend is a bit of a moving target, shifting each year to suit the vintage, but the philosophy is always the same: capture the vibe of the Barossa in a lighter frame built for early enjoyment.

For 2024, it’s a mix of 60% Shiraz, 21% Mataro, and 19% Grenache, with the majority of the fruit pulled from Whistler’s own organic and biodynamic estate. Winemaker Michael Corbett keeps the handling gentle - destemming the fruit in the vineyard for whole-berry ferments and using older French oak for about 10 months. It’s all about soft extraction and preserving that primary fruit energy.

The finished red is juicy, earthy and dangerously drinkable. You get the blue fruits and depth from the Shiraz, a bright red-berry kick from the Grenache, and grounding, savoury earthiness from the Mataro. It’s got a bit of a meaty undertone that screams out for a BBQ or a pizza, but it’s light enough to take a chill if the weather’s warm. Great value, honest Barossa wine.