d'Arenberg The Wild Pixie Shiraz 2019

According to the tasting notes, this 2019 vintage represents the best incarnation of Wild Pixie yet produced. The wine benefits from exceptional fruit quality and perfect balance, with the addition of roussanne during fermentation contributing fresh acidity that lifts the dense fruit core. This technique of co-fermenting small amounts of white grapes with red varieties is a traditional Rhône Valley practice that d'Arenberg has mastered to create more complex, food-friendly wines.

The splash of roussanne added during fermentation serves a crucial winemaking purpose - it provides fresh, bright acidity that balances the wine's powerful fruit density and drives the flavours through a long finish. This co-fermentation technique is borrowed from traditional Northern Rhône winemaking, where small percentages of white grapes like Viognier are often blended with Syrah to add aromatic lift and structural elegance without compromising the wine's red character.

McLaren Vale's Mediterranean climate and diverse soils create ideal conditions for producing rich, full-bodied Shiraz with distinctive regional characteristics. The area's warm days and cool sea breezes from the nearby Gulf St Vincent help develop the wine's complex aromatics of red cherries, blue plums and earthy savouriness. The region's ancient geological formations contribute to the wine's mineral backbone and the distinctive piney cedar wood notes that emerge on the nose.

This wine's herbaceous black currant leaf notes and earthy savouriness make it perfect for grilled red meats, particularly lamb with rosemary or beef with Mediterranean herbs. The dark berry compote flavours and spice elements complement rich stews, aged cheeses, and charcuterie beautifully. The wine's bright acidity and long finish also make it excellent with hearty pasta dishes featuring mushrooms or game, where its complexity won't be overwhelmed by bold flavours.

Serve this full-bodied Shiraz at 16-18°C to allow its complex aromatics to fully express themselves - the tasting notes emphasise how much joy there is in simply smelling this wine. Decant for 30-60 minutes before serving to soften the tannins and open up the fruit core. Store bottles on their side in a cool, dark place, and while drinking beautifully now, this wine has the structure and acidity to develop further complexity over the next 5-8 years.