2023 Dune The Empty Quarter GSM

Dune's twist on the classic McLaren Vale GSM. Serious wine, serious value.
4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
11 Reviews

Price:
Sale price$28.00
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In stock, ready to ship
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Description

The 2023 Empty Quarter from the Lloyd brothers’ Dune Wines is a fresh spin on the classic GSM blend, with a splash of Touriga Nacional for extra character. From their Blewitt Springs vineyard, this is McLaren Vale done their way—organic farming, low-fuss winemaking, and a willingness to mix things up.

Medium-bodied, fragrant, and packed with flavour, it’s got those juicy blue and purple fruits, a savoury edge of sage and spice, and fine, dusty tannins that pull it all together. There’s plenty of personality here, but it’s still the kind of wine you’ll happily crack open any night of the week.

Duncan and Peter Lloyd—of Coriole lineage—are proving they’ve got a knack for walking the line between tradition and modern energy. The Empty Quarter is a seriously tasty red with just enough polish and plenty of charm. If you’re after a GSM that’s a bit different, this one’s got you sorted.

94 points
"Such a pleasing wine to drink. Blue and purple fruit, coal dust and ozone, sage and thyme, some dried flowers, pastrami and aniseed. It’s medium-bodied, has a distinctly ‘mineral’ feel to it, with fine dusty and peppery tannin, a quiet juicy blueberry succulence, and it’s also quite savoury, bresaola and Spanish black olive, I reckon, with a gently sticky and tactile finish of excellent length. Fresh. Spicy. Yum."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

94 points - "Such a pleasing wine to drink. Blue and purple fruit, coal dust and ozone, sage and thyme, some dried flowers, pastrami and aniseed. It’s medium-bodied, has a distinctly ‘mineral’ feel to it, with fine dusty and peppery tannin, a quiet juicy blueberry succulence, and it’s also quite savoury, bresaola and Spanish black olive, I reckon, with a gently sticky and tactile finish of excellent length. Fresh. Spicy. Yum." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

Customer Reviews

4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
Based on 11 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 7 Total 4 star reviews: 4 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
11 reviews
  • DM
    David M.
    Verified Buyer
    1 month ago
    2022 Dune The Empty Quarter GSM
    Reviewing
    2022 Dune The Empty Quarter GSM
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    a good buy

    I`m a fan of DUNE wines

    This GSM has good length and structure. Good fruit balance

    consistent year on year

  • AW
    Andrew W.
    Verified Buyer
    2 months ago
    2022 Dune The Empty Quarter GSM
    Reviewing
    2022 Dune The Empty Quarter GSM
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    A quality wine from Dune.

    Stands out from the crowd of GSM’s and straight Grenache around the $30 mark. I suspect it’s due to the Touriga component but this medium bodied wine is interesting, great with food and tasted even better 48 hours after opening the bottle. Recommended.

  • NB
    Nicholas B.
    Verified Buyer
    2 months ago
    2022 Dune The Empty Quarter GSM
    Reviewing
    2022 Dune The Empty Quarter GSM
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Another winner from Dune!

    The Dune GSM iteration is up there with one of the best, especially at this price point. The ratios are perfect, and the fruit present is just delicious. Can't go past it.

Reviews LoadedReviews Added

2023 DUNE The Empty Quarter is a blend of shiraz / grenache / mataro along with a small amount of touriga nacional.

A medium bodied wine of fragrance and substance.

Glossy purple fruits, mulberry and dark cherry, sweet sage flower lift balanced with savoury notes of aniseed, cured meats, with some white pepper lift. The palate is juicy to start with blue and dark fruits, plum and blueberry, a little dark cocoa, fine and long tannins, supple and succulent.

Price Bracket $30 or Less
Type Red
Sub Type Grenache | Blends
Body Full Bodied
Variety Grenache
Country Australia
Region McLaren Vale
Australian State SA
Reviewed By The Wine Front
Critic Score 94
Alcohol 14%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Screw Cap

Dune

Duncan and Peter Lloyd are the latest generation of Lloyds (of Coriole fame) to make wine in McLaren Vale.

Growing up immersed in the hotbed of food and wine culture that is McLaren Vale, the boys have now partnered up to start their own wine project with a stunning vineyard in Blewitt Springs as the centrepiece.

The grapes are farmed organically, the wines are made with a gentle touch, but rather than let the 'minimal intervention' philosophy hem them in with dogma, the boys are free to tinker and blend as they see fit.

These are fantastic, energetic wines that have set a cracking pace with only a few vintages under the brand's belt. Keep your eyes peeled for what's next for the brothers Lloyd.

Duncan and Peter Lloyd in the Dune vineyard - McLaren Vale, SA Dune

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