2021 Shiraz

Medium deep crimson. Intense blackberry, brambly aromas with vanilla/ mocha notes. Well-balanced and classic in structure with deep set blackberry, brambly fruits, fine gravelly/ slinky textures, very good mid-palate richness and underlying mocha oak. Lovey fruit sweetness, complexity and mineral length – extraordinary value. Drink now–2028. 95 points.

- Andrew Caillard, Vintage Journal

This is a “Do I?” or “Don’t I?” kind of wine. Do I drink it now, or do I tuck it away somewhere safe for a while? I am in two minds. The ’21 is such a superb vintage, you know it’s going to age a treat. And with those firm tannins laying such a strong base, it will be an age-worthy wine. But then the fruit is so tempting now. The scent of bramble, black cherry, black berries, briar with a dash of oak-led pencil shavings sets the scene for a palate that showcases Vale Shiraz in a great year. There’s complexity and good concentration as more and more is slowly revealed with a layer of bitter chocolate here, light spices there, tied up tightly by firm tannins finishing with a cherry pip astringency. Super clean. But, yes, with more time so much more will be revealed. 92 points.

- Jeni Port, Wine Pilot

Red frogs wrap around black cherry and pomegranate with sweet baking spices. Like walking into a Darrell Lea store back in the good old days where soft liquor meets all things chocolatey and childlike fancy. For those seeking the unctuous nature of McLaren Vale’s Shiraz fruit, it's all here. Bestowing layers of fruit, carrying acidity and finely sieved tannins. Hard wine to go past at that price point. Drink with fatty lamb roast. 92 points.

- Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot

That colour! So dense with a brightish hue. Those who love some generosity would be pleased with this McLaren Vale Shiraz. With plenty going on, think cedar, cloves, dark chocolate and a flow of exotic spice. An undertow of Dutch chocolate sneaks in too but the longer it sits the more the oak and spice get the chance to run rings around the fruit. Drying and puckering to finish, perhaps some more time will see it mesh a little more. Drink to eight years+ 91 points

- QWine

A super generous but beautifully refined and stylish McLaren Vale shiraz. It’s seamlessly woven together with a fine spicy, mocha and slightly earthy nuance. Throw in a little strip of licorice and some roasted coffee and there’s the complete picture. Ideal in the short term. 92 points

- Ray Jordan

Fruit-forward with pretty, lifted floral aromas. Cherry pie. A bit of blue fruit and violets. Fresh, juicy and easy to drink. It has everything for a flavourful medium-bodied red wine to succeed. Good mix of sweet, sour, spicy and bitter. Nicely done. 90 points

- Kasia Sobiesiak