Brooding and architectural from the first glance, the Octavian opens with a dark, resonant perfume of blackberry compote, cassis, and black plum, seamlessly interwoven with violet, crushed graphite, star anise, and cocoa powder. A subtle thread of smoked cedar lends quiet sophistication, while a faint lift of blueberry and fresh licorice hints at the cool, even temperament of the vintage.
On the palate, the wine is sumptuous yet impeccably disciplined. A deep tide of blackberry, black cherry, and boysenberry rolls across the tongue, folding into layers of dark chocolate, espresso bean, and ironstone minerality.
The tannins are exceptionally fine — long, linear, and beautifully shaped — giving the wine both gravitas and grace. A quietly powerful acidity runs through the core, tightening the weave and holding every element in perfect tension.
The finish is long, resonant, and quietly commanding. Black plum skin, cocoa, sandalwood, and warm spice linger for nearly a minute, closing with the unmistakable McLaren Vale Shiraz imprint: a final, refined whisper of graphite that echoes long after the last sip.
