Shiraz 2016 - Black Market Deal #61642

This exceptional Shiraz earned Robert Parker's prestigious 96 points and 'Extraordinary' recognition from Wine Advocate, reflecting McLaren Vale's reputation as one of Australia's premier Shiraz regions. The 2016 vintage was particularly outstanding in McLaren Vale, with ideal growing conditions producing wines of remarkable concentration and complexity. The combination of the region's Mediterranean climate, ancient soils, and skilled winemaking has created a wine that showcases the very best of Australian Shiraz.

The blood plum character provides the wine's rich, dark fruit foundation - a hallmark of premium McLaren Vale Shiraz that develops from the region's warm, dry summers. Allspice notes emerge from both the grape's natural spice compounds and likely some judicious oak treatment, creating layers of complexity that complement the fruit. The bay leaf aromatics add an herbal dimension that's characteristic of well-aged Shiraz, where tertiary flavours begin to integrate and provide savoury counterpoints to the sweet fruit.

At eight years of age, this full-bodied McLaren Vale Shiraz is entering its prime drinking window, with the tannins having softened and the complex flavour profile fully integrated. However, wines of this calibre - particularly those scoring 96 points from Robert Parker - typically have excellent cellaring potential and could continue developing for another 10-15 years. The decision depends on your preference for the current rich, mature characteristics versus allowing further tertiary development of leather, earth, and game notes.

The wine's full-bodied structure and rich blood plum flavours make it perfect for robust red meat dishes like grilled lamb with rosemary or slow-cooked beef brisket. The allspice and bay leaf notes complement game meats beautifully, while the wine's intensity can stand up to strong cheeses like aged cheddar or blue cheese. For vegetarian options, try it with mushroom-based dishes or grilled eggplant with Mediterranean herbs that echo the wine's savoury complexity.

James Halliday's Top 100 Wineries represents the pinnacle of Australian wine production, recognising only those producers who consistently demonstrate exceptional quality across their range. This designation indicates the winery has a track record of outstanding winemaking, sustainable practices, and innovation in their craft. Being included in this prestigious list means you're getting wine from a producer that's recognised among Australia's absolute best, with rigorous standards for vineyard management and winemaking excellence.