Oliver's Taranga Mencia 2023 13% 750ml

Oliver's Taranga Mencia 2023 13% 750ml

In 1839 William and Elizabeth Oliver travelled to South Australia from Scotland and eventually settled in 1841 on land at McLaren Vale. Whitehill and Taranga farms, the names given to the northern and southern sections of this land, are located 2 km north of McLaren Vale overlooking the township. Taranga is a corruption of the aboriginal word Tarangk, meaning ‘the middle' which was used by the Kaurna, a local aboriginal tribe. Sheep and cattle were raised and orchards and vineyards were planted immediately upon arrival and the family prospered.

Both properties are still run by fifth generation descendants of William and Elizabeth, with the Whitehill property utilized for cropping and grazing sheep and cattle and boasting a rejuvenated stone ‘Chaff Shed' which is used as a function centre and Taranga, which consists of 100 hectares of land, being planted to many different varieties of red and white wine grapes.

Expert Reviews

Marcus Ellis

94 Pointsout of 100.

Dusky, moody florals, deep red, purple and blue – like a sultry old-school perfume but without the sombreness – immediately declare variety, with blueberry, tart wild blackberry, briary herbs and gamey hints reinforcing the impression. This was fermented with native yeasts and saw no additions bar sulphur. Mid-weight, vibrant and varietally on song, along with a briny, iodine mineral edge suggestive of place, this is an excellent example.

James Halliday Wine Companion 2025, 7 August, 20241 February 2024

Variety: Mencia
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Winemaker: Corrina Wright