d'Arenberg 'The Old Bloke & The Three Young Blondes' Shiraz Blend 2018 (1pk)

The quirky name 'The Old Bloke & The Three Young Blondes' reflects d'Arenberg's playful approach to winemaking while describing the actual blend composition. The 'Old Bloke' represents fruit from d'Arenberg's oldest shiraz vines, which contribute depth and complexity, while the 'Three Young Blondes' refers to fragrant white Rhône varieties that add aromatic lift and textural interest to this predominantly red blend. This creative naming convention is typical of d'Arenberg's irreverent style, making serious wines with a sense of humour.

Adding small amounts of white Rhône varieties to shiraz is a traditional technique that enhances aromatics and adds textural complexity without compromising the wine's red character. The white grapes contribute floral notes and can help stabilise colour while softening tannins, creating a more integrated and sophisticated final blend. This practice is common in premium Australian shiraz production and reflects the influence of traditional Rhône Valley winemaking, where co-fermentation of red and white grapes has been used for centuries to create more nuanced wines.

With its powerful structure, concentrated fruit from low-yielding 2018 vintage, and exceptional ratings averaging 95-97 points, this wine is built for long-term cellaring. The combination of old vine fruit, traditional winemaking methods, and French oak aging suggests it will continue developing for 15-20 years from vintage. While approachable now for those who enjoy bold, structured wines, it will likely reach its peak drinking window between 2025-2035, when the intense tannins will have softened and the complex savouriness will fully integrate with the dark fruit flavours.

This wine's rich, savoury profile with dark berry flavours, complex spice, and chewy tannins demands equally bold food companions. Think slow-cooked lamb shanks with rosemary, grilled ribeye steaks, or rich game dishes like venison with juniper berries. The wine's earthy, iodine-like characteristics also pair beautifully with aged hard cheeses or charcuterie boards featuring cured meats. The structured tannins will cut through rich, fatty foods while the wine's spice notes complement herbs and pepper-based seasonings perfectly.

d'Arenberg employs old-world techniques including foot-treading grapes and basket-pressing, which gently extract flavours without over-extracting harsh tannins, resulting in better texture and complexity. The wine is raised in French oak without fining or filtration, preserving maximum flavour intensity and natural character while allowing the terroir to shine through. These hands-on methods, combined with fruit from their oldest shiraz vines, create wines with greater depth and personality than mass-produced alternatives, explaining why this wine has earned such exceptional critical acclaim from respected reviewers.