The Boss - Schild Estate Three Springs Shiraz 2023

This is no shrinking violet - it’s an unapologetically plush, full-bodied red built to impress the big-shiraz faithful. Think dark fruit liqueur meets espresso and plum sauce, with waves of chocolate, clove, date and anise all rolling in like a flavour parade. It’s rich, velvety and just this side of decadent, but not without brains. There’s iron and bay leaf cutting through, adding a savoury edge that keeps it from tipping into syrupy territory. Then the finish hits - long, dark and insanely deep - leaving you both satisfied and curious for another glass. This is a wine for the loyal McLaren Vale shiraz-heads. The ones who don’t apologise for loving flavour, weight and a bit of drama in their glass. If that’s you, clear some space in the decanter.

Drink : Now - 2035

A tried and true Mofo fav. We love this wine for many reasons, but most of all it’s the way it jumps out of the glass. A potent elixir of vibrant red cherries and blue plums. A swirl of raspberry and liquorice. Dusky, earthy savouriness and piney cedar wood chime in late and usher the fruit along. Its one of those wines you’re reluctant to drink because there is so much joy to be had in just smelling it. On the palate herbaceous black currant leaf and herbal tea flank what is a powerful fruit core. Dark berry compote and quince dominate. Fresh and bright acidity (aided, in part, by the splash of roussanne that’s added to the ferment) gather and drive the fruit density through a long, lasting finish. As far as the Wild Pixie is concerned, this is the best incarnation yet.

Sometimes a wine doesn't need a complicated story. It just needs to be really, really good. And this one is really, really good. The tannins are soft and pillowy, the structure is perfectly pitched and the finish is long enough to keep you thinking about that first sip for hours. Cedar spice, mint, dusty cocoa and dried sage on the nose - savoury and completely inviting before you've even taken a sip. The palate opens up into ripe raspberry, red liquorice and baking spices, with chocolate undertones and a generosity of red fruit that makes it genuinely hard to put down. Balanced acidity, powdery tannins and an earthy depth that gives it character well beyond what you'd expect at this price. Crack one open tonight alongside something slow-cooked . Or tuck a few away for the next few years and let it develop into a whole different beast.