"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affections grow again and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen magically along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn." - Bernard DeVoto, "The Hour".
“The Violet Hour is a flag in the ground for the Bondar style, where perfume is favoured over heft, and the fruit and site take precedent over winemaking artefact” – Young Gun of Wine, 2023
“Bondar’s Violet Hour Shiraz 2021 is, at $32 and 97 points, not only a beautiful McLaren Vale Shiraz but a contender for the Best Value wine of the year. It’s an insight into the stunning consumer-friendly story that is Bondar.” (Halliday Wine Companion 2024)
2023 Vintage - 96 points Halliday Wine Companion
"The value here has always been super keen. That’s as true as ever with this iteration from a cool year, typically lifted and fragrant but also with some serious import. A tick up from mid-weight, this is spicy and peppered ferruginous minerality, along with blackberry, dark cherries, tapenade, violet, cassia, bay, coffee bean and salted licorice. Red berries swell up on the palate, with a thoughtfully woven skein of tannins underwriting its class. Excellent." - Marcus Ellis
2022 Vintage - 95 points Halliday Wine Companion
2021 Vintage - 97 points James Halliday
2020 Vintage- 97 points James Halliday
Top 100 Wines 2021, James Halliday (The Weekend Australian Magazine)
2019 Vintage - BEST ‘FULL FLAVOURED RED WINE’ 2019 Drinkeasy Awards
2018 Vintage - 97 points James Halliday
Top 100 Wines 2019, James Halliday (The Weekend Australian Magazine)
2017 vintage - 97 points James Halliday
2016 vintage:
BEST SHIRAZ at McLAREN VALE WINE SHOW 2017
BEST SMALL PRODUCER at McLAREN VALE WINE SHOW 2017
BEST SINGLE-VINEYARD SHIRAZ at McLAREN VALE WINE SHOW 2017
BEST SHIRAZ 2016 OR YOUNGER at McLAREN VALE WINE SHOW 2017
