Alejandro Durif

The Alejandro range of wines pride themselves on creating the best of European tastes with a South Australian twist, championing unusual and sometime forgotten grapes that thrive in the region. Durif grapes are grown in small bunches on an organic vineyard in the hot Riverland climate. Fermented with malolactic before part of the wine goes straight to American oak and the balance to old French.

This results in a rich wine – impenetrable inky black in colour with a very deep, dark red-black hue. Nose reveals morello cherry, liquorice and graphite scents followed by toasty oak and pepper. The palate is rich and robust, with ripe morello cherry and liquorice fruits framed by a stern tannin structure, lending a grippy feel to the finish. Dark plum, subtle earthy graphite and spice characters are also apparent, alongside bright youthful acidity. Try with grilled steak, rich stews/casseroles, or mature hard cheeses.

After a trip to Spain, Russell & Suitor winemaker Alex Russell launched his first label ‘Alejandro’ in 2014. Alex’s time abroad inspired him to explore the potential of locally grown grapes that respond exceedingly well to the South Australian climate with all the character and complexity of their Spanish counterparts.

Organic & Suitable for Vegans