This 2016 Stonewell Shiraz has earned exceptional recognition with scores up to 97 points from leading critics like Angus Hughson and 96 points from Decanter. The wine showcases Peter Lehmann's mastery of Barossa Valley terroir, where old vine Shiraz develops incredible concentration and complexity. The combination of ideal vintage conditions and the winery's traditional winemaking approach has created a wine that balances power with elegance, earning it Langtons Classification status as one of Australia's most collectible wines.

The Barossa Valley's warm continental climate and ancient soils create ideal conditions for producing full-bodied Shiraz with intense fruit concentration. This region's old vine Shiraz blocks, some over 100 years old, yield small quantities of grapes with exceptional flavour density. The valley's diurnal temperature variation helps retain acidity while developing the rich blackberry and plum characteristics, while the region's traditional winemaking heritage ensures these flavours are expertly captured and enhanced through careful oak integration.

This rich, full-bodied Shiraz pairs beautifully with robust dishes that can match its intensity and complement its blackberry, plum, and tobacco notes. Consider slow-cooked lamb with rosemary, grilled ribeye steak, or game meats like venison where the wine's tannins will soften and enhance the meat's flavours. The tobacco undertones also make it excellent with barbecued meats or aged cheeses, while the fruit concentration can handle spicy cuisines like Middle Eastern or North African dishes.

While this 2016 Shiraz is drinking beautifully now, showing excellent integration of fruit, tannins, and oak, it has the structure and quality to cellar for another 10-15 years. The high critic scores indicate exceptional balance and aging potential typical of premium Barossa Shiraz. Currently, you'll enjoy vibrant fruit flavours with developing complexity, but cellaring will allow the tobacco notes to become more pronounced while the tannins soften further, creating an even more harmonious and sophisticated wine.

Peter Lehmann earned the nickname 'Baron of the Barossa' for his pivotal role in preserving old vine vineyards and supporting local growers during difficult times in the 1970s. The winery's commitment to traditional winemaking methods, combined with access to some of the valley's oldest Shiraz vines, has established them as a benchmark producer. Their 5-Star Red Winery rating from James Halliday reflects consistent quality across their range, while their Stonewell vineyard represents some of the finest terroir in the Barossa, producing wines that showcase the region's potential for world-class Shiraz.