97 points - "From the Trott vineyard’s '52 vines on Maslin Sands. About 80% of the fruit was fermented with 70% whole bunches and two weeks on skins; 20% saw 10% whole bunch and four weeks on skins; matured in sandstone amphorae and older oak. Well, here’s a thing. The darker tones of the Trott fruit are here, but decidedly in the red zone – deep red cherry, pomegranate molasses (not confected, just concentrated), dried cranberry, warm terracotta, crushed dark roses, caraway, white pepper and Baharat spices. There’s a bit of bunch for a cool year, but it quietly meshes in, upping the savoury interest while creating an engaging warp and weft of tannin, intricately woven, fine yet determined. This is detailed, layered and just so engaging. What a triumph." - Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points - "Focused floral aromas of raspberry coulis, dark cherries, cinnamon bark, ruby grapefruit and rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied with firmly integrated tannins and bright acidity, showing flavors of blackberries, violets, spices and dried herbs. High-tension and tightly wound, this will evolve nicely in bottle. Drink or hold." - James Suckling

96 Points - "It’s tea time. Here we have rosehip and Earl Grey tea, dusty spices, blackcurrant and raspberry, mint and thyme, hazelnut paste, something stony with a waft of petrichor (happy for you to pop me in Pseuds Corner, but that’s how it seems). Medium-bodied at most, spicy, a pomegranate tang through a dark fruit profile, crushed stone tannin, orange peel, something of a Barbaresco thing happening here too (again, don’t mind me), with a peppery and dusty finish of excellent length. Wonderful wine. Beautifully made. Specific." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

95 points - "Vibrant ruby and purple colours swirl in the light. Raspberry, crushed raspberry leaves and biltong aromatics. Powerful and intense on entry with dark berries, ferrous minerality and a deeper beef consommé undertone. Powerful fine gravel tannins ensure the tension is wound up yet don’t hide any of the characters on show, allowing it to flow incredibly long and remain bone dry to the end. Many years ahead of it if you have the patience." - Sturat Knox (The Real Review)

Hope Springs Eternal is a new project for Bondar, with the vision to produce great, elegant, age-worthy wine from vineyard sites we believe to be among the best for the variety in the region.

The first release includes a Grenache from the Trott Wilpena vineyard high in Blewitt Springs, and a Shiraz from the esteemed Hickinbotham vineyard in Clarendon. And really the heart of these wines is altitude. The vineyard sites sit higher than Rayner, their elevation offering cool nights and warm days — conditions that extend the ripening season and nurture fruit with finesse, concentration, complexity, and beautiful natural acidity.