Lou Miranda Estate Old Vine Shiraz Mataro 2018

The mataro component comes from extraordinary 120-year-old bush vines, making them some of the oldest producing vines in Australia. These ancient vines naturally restrict yields, concentrating flavours into incredibly dense, complex fruit that adds medicinal and earthy characteristics to balance the rich shiraz. Old vine mataro is prized for its ability to provide structure and spice, creating wines with remarkable depth and longevity that younger vines simply cannot achieve.

This classic Barossa blend combines shiraz's plump, fruit-forward character with mataro's structural backbone and spice. The shiraz provides the wine's luscious blackberry and plum flavours, while mataro adds tannin, acidity, and complex herbal notes that prevent the wine from becoming overly rich. This partnership is traditional in the Barossa, where the warm climate allows both varieties to ripen fully while maintaining their distinct personalities in the final blend.

Full-bodied wines like this shiraz mataro have substantial weight and intensity on the palate, with rich fruit concentration and robust tannins. You'll experience layers of flavour that coat your mouth, from the initial burst of dark fruit to the lingering spice and earthy finish. This style pairs beautifully with hearty dishes like braised meats or aged cheeses, as the wine's power can stand up to bold flavours without being overwhelmed.

The 2018 Barossa vintage is considered exceptional, with ideal growing conditions producing wines of remarkable concentration and balance. By now, this wine has had several years to integrate its components, allowing the bold shiraz fruit and structured mataro to harmonise beautifully. The vintage's natural acidity and tannin structure mean this wine is drinking superbly now but will continue to develop complexity over the next 5-10 years.

Angela Miranda's extensive international winemaking experience across seven countries brings a global perspective to traditional Barossa winemaking. Her expertise allows her to expertly balance the powerful old vine fruit, knowing exactly when to harvest and how to handle the fermentation to preserve the wine's natural intensity while maintaining elegance. Her approach showcases both the raw power of these ancient vines and the finesse that comes from skilled winemaking.