Mid straw in colour. The aroma has nectarine fruit and sandalwood spiciness. The palate has concentration and depth with stone fruit flavours and cumquat astringency, leaving a long dry finish.
This wine may develop a harmless deposit over time.
Byzantine 2018
$45.00
Reviews
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Patrick Eckel Wine Reviewer –
2018 Grey Sands Byzantine October 17, 2022
Wine Rating
93
A blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Malvasia Bianca with aromatics that range from honeyed tropical fruits to more structured stone fruits with a dusting of spice. The palate is supple and expansive and above all has a wonderful texture that moves from full and primary fruits to one of subtle spice and savoury influence that is less about fruit. The finish is long, dry and has plenty of grip with quince and stone fruits meshing with citrus.
WHEN TO DRINK
Optimal Drinking
2022 – 2030
Date Reviewed
10 15, 2022
Tony Peters, Words from a Wineglass –
Posted on February 10, 2023 by Tony Peters
We have a great bunch of friends from different backgrounds, various ages, likes and dislikes. That is what makes them, them. The old saying, “If everyone was the same, the world would be boring” rings true. The good thing about having such a diversity in our friendship group is, each and every one of us brings a different opinion, view and perspective on whatever it is we talk about which is accepted and respected.
I can’t help but think that this is what it must be like when a winemaker brings certain varieties together. They would respect the individual variety’s positive qualities added to the blend, which is what has happened with this blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Malvasia.
The result is a wine with lovely aromatics, concentrated flavours, beautiful texture, and great length. Stone fruits bring plenty to the party with a ‘ping’ like hit of citrus fruits giving a little ‘zip’ to the palate. There’s a delicate spiciness that adds a poke of savouriness to the generous fruitful feel this wine has. Here is a wine that will bring healthy discussion and respected opinion. And don’t expect to put your glass down in a hurry. You’ll be putting it forward for a second taste.
Mark Smith –
2018 Grey Sands Byzantine
February 2023
All but hidden from view on the edge of the Frankford Highway linking Exeter with Devonport, Grey Sands Vineyard seems a world away from many of its winemaking near-neighbours in the Tamar Valley.
Owners Bob and Rita Richter nailed their colours to the mast back in the 1980s as champions of Pinot Gris and Merlot, then relatively unknown in northern Tasmania. Today, their smallholding provides a home to no less than 17 wine grape varieties. The couple’s raison d’etre of ‘daring to be different’ continues to see them living on the edge of what is possible viticulturally in the district.
This quirky white wine blend is crafted from Chardonnay, Viognier and Malvasia. It’s not different merely for the sake of being different. It’s all about providing a food-friendly wine that combines good weight and texture with very satisfying length of flavour. Like the vineyard itself, winemaking artifice is hidden from view, allowing the consumer to fully appreciate the wine’s generous and harmonious mix of stone fruit and tropical flavours. The aftertaste is dry and intriguingly spicy; the acidity neatly controlled.
Drinking very well indeed as it approaches its fifth birthday. Enjoy!