The basket pressing technique used for this Craneford Shiraz is a traditional method that gently extracts juice without crushing seeds or stems, resulting in softer tannins and purer fruit expression. Combined with fruit sourced from highly-regarded Barossa vineyards through established grower relationships, this creates a wine with exceptional purity and power that showcases the region's renowned ability to produce world-class Shiraz with distinctive character.

Serve this wine at 16-18°C to allow its rich cherry and cranberry flavours to shine while maintaining the wine's structural integrity. Decant for 30-60 minutes before serving to soften the tannins and enhance the aromatic complexity. The full-bodied nature means it will pair beautifully with robust dishes like grilled lamb, aged cheeses, or hearty stews that can match its intensity.

The bright cherry and cranberry notes make this Shiraz particularly versatile with both red meats and game. Try it with duck breast, venison, or lamb where the fruit flavours complement the richness of the protein. The wine's full body and Barossa power also make it excellent with aged hard cheeses, mushroom-based dishes, or even dark chocolate desserts where the fruit-forward character creates beautiful flavour bridges.

This 2023 Shiraz is crafted for immediate enjoyment while having the structure to develop beautifully over 5-8 years. The basket pressing technique and quality Barossa fruit provide both approachable tannins for current drinking and sufficient backbone for cellaring. If drinking now, you'll enjoy vibrant fruit flavours; if cellared, expect the cherry and cranberry notes to integrate with developing secondary flavours of spice and earth.

A 4.2 Vivino rating across all vintages indicates consistently high quality and broad consumer appeal, particularly impressive for a producer wine. This rating reflects the winemakers' expertise and their established relationships with quality Barossa growers, ensuring reliable fruit sourcing year after year. The 'Iconic Producer' designation further confirms Craneford's reputation for crafting exceptional Shiraz that delivers both immediate pleasure and long-term satisfaction.