The Upgrade Case - Sorby Adams The Vicar of Toft Shiraz 2021

The Vicar of Toft represents Sorby Adams' flagship expression, earning an exceptional 97 points from Ray Jordan and 96 points from Wine Orbit. This single vineyard Shiraz showcases the pinnacle of their winemaking philosophy, with concentrated flavours of dark chocolate, blood plum, and mocha that demonstrate why it's considered a 'showstopper'. The wine's complexity comes from old vine fruit and meticulous vineyard management, creating layers that unfold beautifully over time.

This case offers a fascinating vertical tasting experience through Sorby Adams' hierarchy of Shiraz wines. The Reverend Canon serves as the accessible entry point, while The Parish Hall wines (St Hugh's and St Boniface) represent mid-tier expressions with distinct vineyard characteristics. The Vicar of Toft sits at the apex, showcasing what happens when old vine fruit meets exceptional terroir. Each wine shares the producer's signature style of rich, full-bodied Shiraz but expresses different levels of concentration and complexity.

Old vine Shiraz typically comes from vines that are 35+ years old, and these mature plants produce significantly lower yields but much more concentrated fruit. The deep root systems access different soil layers, contributing to the complex mineral backbone you'll taste in these wines. Old vines also naturally regulate their own water stress, leading to smaller berries with thicker skins and more intense flavour compounds. This explains the remarkable depth of dark chocolate, blackcurrant, and spice notes that define Sorby Adams' expressions.

The 2021 vintage in Australia delivered ideal growing conditions with a cool, wet winter followed by a warm, dry harvest period. This allowed for extended hang time on the vines, developing complex flavour compounds while maintaining natural acidity. The result is Shiraz wines with exceptional balance between power and elegance, evident in the high critic scores across this entire case. Cool nights during ripening preserved the violet and spice characteristics that make Australian Shiraz so distinctive.

Start with the Reverend Canon to understand Sorby Adams' house style, then progress through The Parish Hall wines to appreciate the vineyard differences. Save The Vicar of Toft for special occasions or cellar it for 5-10 years to witness its full evolution. The 2021 vintage's natural acidity and tannin structure means all these wines will develop beautifully, with the meaty and black olive characters becoming more pronounced over time. Decant the higher-tier wines for at least an hour to fully appreciate their complexity.