It's the combination of nervy energy, purity of fruit and a smashability factor that is off the charts that makes these rare birds from the Basket Range some of the most feverishly hunted wines in the country.
Here's the 2018 Springtime release from Taras and Amber Ochota. If you blink, you'll miss them.
"I'm really happy with the 2018's, everything was silky smooth..."
- Taras Ochota
The Spring releases fall into two camps: firstly there are the 'rainbow' wines of Weird Berries in the Woods Gewürztraminer, Surfer Rosa Rosé, the whacky Texture Like Sun red-ish blend and the crisp and delicate Green Room Grenache Syrah.
These are all in killer form in 2018, they're fresh and frisky and ready to go.
Ochota Barrels 2018 Tasting Pack
$120
"You get the feeling, when tasting (or better still *drinking*) these Ochota Barrels wines that they are ‘fine wines’ but with an edge. That is, they feel and taste good, are still kind of classic, but have a slightly wild, personality-laden delivery."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
The second half of the release is all about super-limited experimental batches from the Ochota Barrels Wine Studio.
This year sees the return of the Barossan From The North Mourvedre, a moody, mysterious red wine that will disappear in no time.
The insane witch's brew that is the Botanicals of the Basket Range.
And the psychedelic She's Lost Control Fragola (Isabella) which is a hot candidate for the weirdest wine in the country.
The newcomer this year is a pixie-like Pinot Meunier named The Mark of Cain which is absolutely unreal to drink.
These are all made in painfully small amounts. They always sell out in no time.
Get your Ochota Barrels fix while you can!