The Paternus is crafted exclusively from the oldest vines on Ulithorne's estate vineyard, which naturally produce lower yields but significantly more concentrated flavours. These mature vines have developed deep root systems over decades, accessing mineral-rich subsoils that younger vines cannot reach. The result is a wine with exceptional depth and complexity that showcases the true terroir of McLaren Vale, earning it an impressive 96 points from Wine Orbit.

McLaren Vale's unique sand-over-clay soil profile provides excellent drainage while retaining essential moisture during dry periods, creating ideal stress conditions for concentrated fruit development. This geological combination, combined with the region's Mediterranean climate, produces the wine's signature inky colour and rich fruit intensity. The terroir contributes to the wine's distinctive blackberry and plum characteristics while allowing the subtle spice notes to emerge naturally.

This wine's rich tannin structure and complex spice profile make it an excellent match for robust red meats like grilled lamb with rosemary or slow-cooked beef brisket. The wine's natural acidity and fruit concentration also complement game meats and aged hard cheeses beautifully. For vegetarian options, try it with mushroom-based dishes or grilled eggplant with Mediterranean herbs to echo the wine's earthy undertones.

With its excellent structure from old vine fruit and 20 months of French oak maturation, this wine has outstanding cellaring potential of 15-20 years from vintage. The fine-grained tannins will continue to integrate and soften, while the concentrated fruit flavours will develop greater complexity and tertiary characteristics. Peak drinking will likely occur between 2028-2035, though it's already showing beautifully now for those who prefer younger, more vibrant fruit expression.

The combination of new and seasoned French oak barrels over 20 months adds structural complexity without overwhelming the exceptional old vine fruit. New oak contributes subtle vanilla and spice notes, while the seasoned barrels allow the wine's natural fruit characteristics to shine through. This careful oak program creates the wine's fine-grained tannin structure and adds the distinctive cedar influence on the back palate, enhancing rather than masking the wine's inherent McLaren Vale character.