Tscharke The Master Montepulciano 2021: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Savoury, Spicy & Dinner-Ready

This is Montepulciano with Barossa confidence: deep purple in the glass, spicy and savoury on the nose, and straight into juicy cherry and red plum. There’s a pleasing rustic edge (in the best way), but it stays polished thanks to bright acidity and subtle oak tones. The finish is where it earns its name—firm, chalky tannins and woody, herbaceous characters that hang around long enough to make you reach for food.

Highlights

• Certified organic and vegan-suitable
• Spicy, savoury Montepulciano with cherry and red plum lift
• Medium-bodied, multifaceted and textural, with subtle oak seasoning
• Firm, chalky tannins and a long, herbaceous finish
• 93 points from Cam Douglas MS (reviewed July 2023)

Tasting Notes

Deep purple colour, with aromas that run spicy and savoury, edged with earthy rusticity. Fruit sits firmly in the red spectrum: cherry, red plum and tart cherry, with a darker undercurrent and a touch of leathery depth. The palate is powerful and direct, lifted by bright acidity, then closes with firm, chalky tannins and a lingering woody-herb character.

Winemaking

The winery describes subtle oak tones shaping the mid-palate rather than dominating it, allowing Montepulciano’s savoury character to stay front and centre. The result is a wine with juicy fruit, balanced structure and a long, tannin-led finish—ideal for food.

Vineyard & Vintage

Montepulciano is a late-ripening variety, and in warm regions it can still hold onto acidity—one reason it suits Barossa so well. In 2021, the aim was to capture both freshness and depth, giving a medium-bodied red with bright fruit, savoury length and tannins that promise short-to-medium term ageing.

Why We Love It

It’s a serious red that doesn’t need a special occasion. The cherry-and-spice core is instantly satisfying, but the savoury finish and firm tannins make it genuinely dinner-ready. If you like Italian reds but want something local, organic and Barossa-grown, this is a smart pick.

Food Pairing

Go savoury: tomato-rich sauces, grilled meats, mushrooms and anything herb-forward. Montepulciano loves umami and a bit of char.

Try matching this wine with →

• Osso buco with gremolata — Find a Recipe
• Spaghetti puttanesca — Find a Recipe
• Italian sausages with peperonata — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A cosy midweek dinner where you want a red with backbone: pasta, candles, and a bottle that keeps its shape from first pour to last.

Cellaring

Drink now for juicy fruit and spice, or cellar 3–6 years for extra savoury complexity. Once opened, re-cork and refrigerate; it generally drinks well over 3–5 days.

Producer

Tscharke is a Barossa producer based in Marananga on the Western Ridge, led by grower-winemaker Damien Tscharke. Farming is organic and biodynamic, with a focus on soil health, biodiversity and site detail. In the cellar, the approach favours brightness and texture over heavy oak, using thoughtful ferments and vessel choices to keep wines energetic, savoury and made for the table.

Related Wines To Try →

If you’re enjoying this savoury red lane, here are three great next bottles.

• Preservative-free Monte with chocolate-and-cherry charm — Organic Hill Preservative Free Montepulciano
• Barossa red with spice, herbs and a tannin line — Tscharke A Thing of Beauty Grenache
• Medium-bodied, savoury organic red for pasta nights — Battle of Bosworth Puritan Shiraz

FAQ

What does Tscharke The Master Montepulciano taste like?

Spicy and savoury with cherry and red plum, plus subtle oak seasoning. It finishes dry, structured and tannin-led, with woody herbs lingering through the finish.

What is Montepulciano, and how does it usually taste?

Montepulciano is a red grape best known from Italy (especially Montepulciano d’Abruzzo). It typically gives medium-bodied reds with generous dark or red fruit, bright acidity and a savoury edge, often finishing with firm tannins that love food. In warmer Australian sites like the Barossa, you still get that savoury structure, but with riper plum-and-cherry fruit and a little more depth.

Is it dry or sweet?

Dry. The fruit is juicy, but the wine stays savoury thanks to firm tannins and a structured finish.

How full-bodied is it?

Medium-bodied, with plenty of flavour and a firm tannin frame. It’s powerful without being heavy or syrupy.

Should I decant it?

It’s not essential, but a 20–30 minute decant will soften the tannins and lift the savoury aromatics, especially if the bottle has been stored cool.

What temperature should I serve it?

Serve around 16–18°C in a medium to large red wine glass. A short chill (10 minutes) can help keep it fresh on warm nights.

What foods pair best with this wine?

Tomato-based pasta, meatballs, grilled lamb, charred vegetables and mushrooms are all excellent. The savoury finish also works beautifully with hard cheeses.

Is it organic and vegan?

Yes. It’s certified organic and vegan-suitable, meaning it’s made without animal-derived fining agents.

Does it contain preservatives (sulphites)?

Most wines contain some naturally occurring sulphites, and many also have a small addition at bottling for stability. If you’re avoiding preservatives completely, choose a wine labelled “No Added Preservative” on our site.

How long will it last after opening?

Re-cork and refrigerate; it generally drinks well for 3–5 days. The savoury notes often become even more pronounced over time.

Who will love this wine?

If you like Italian reds like Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Sangiovese or Nero d’Avola, this is a natural fit. It’s also a great choice for Shiraz drinkers who want something more savoury and medium-bodied, with firm tannins and food-pairing energy.

(SKU: TC_MON_CV)