Expert Reviews

"Bright purple in colour, power packed bouquet of red and black berries with a smidge of dried herbs. Big rich palate, with intense, delightful flavours and a slightly tight lingering finish - making it a great food wine." - Dan Traucki March 2024

"Deep ruby red colour. Blood plum, amaro herbs and sawdust aromas. Medium to full body; dark fruits, bresaola and dried mountain herbs all fill through the middle. Firm gravelly tannins ensure drive and persistence with a bone dry finish. 90/100." - The Real Review February 2024

"Grape varieties from southern Europe are growing in popularity in Australia as global warming changes the face of winemaking. This blend of the Spanish grape tempranillo and Portuguese grape touriga is made from fruit grown in Heathcote by the next generation De Bortoli winemakers. The fruit is grown on deep red, rich mineral soils and comes with intensity, drive, and food-friendly appeal. This would match well with anything from a chorizo-studded paella to roasted meat dishes." - Winsor Dobbin February 2024

"De Bortoli Wines is paying homage to the depth and beauty of the Heathcote region with the release of its latest wine, Ancient Soils. Honouring the rich history of winemaking in the region and its ancient soils, the wine is crafted from Iberian grape varieties Tempranillo and Touriga, which are known for their ability to thrive in heat, grown at the Heathcote Ridge and Rathjen vineyards." - The Shout January 2024

"De Bortoli Wines has earned its reputation over the years for crafting wines that encapsulate the essence of a region – and nestled within the heart of Heathcote lies a rich history of winemaking in ancient soils. The latest release from De Bortoli Wines – Ancient Soils, is a heartfelt homage to the depth, beauty, and finesse that defines Heathcote. Crafted from Iberian grape varieties Tempranillo and Touriga, known for their ability to thrive in heat, these grapes yield wines that have a deep red hue accompanied by a vibrant purple rim." - Drinks Trade January 2024

"Tempranillo and Touriga appear to be thriving in Heathcote, and given the region’s continuing embrace of alternative varieties, that spells good things for wine lovers. The Ancient Soils Temp blend is a delightful wine, with a complex range of characters. It presents ripe notes of mulberry, blackberry and black cherry, and some added depth from violets and baking spices. The palate is rich and full flavoured, with a silkiness that makes it a joy to drink. The wine is still quite tart, but pairing it with a rich dish will keep everything in balance, and it should age nicely. 93 Points." - Wine Pilot January 2024

"Very deep, bold red-purple colour; bold youthful aromas of herbs, dark plums and berries, a certain gentian character that reminds of petit verdot. It's full-bodied and firmly structured with grip and persistence. An interesting left-field style and high quality. The solid grip suggests it will go best with hearty protein. 92/100." - The Real Review December 2023