Shiraz 2017 – Black Market Deal #49452

At seven years of age, this Shiraz has reached that sweet spot where primary fruit flavours have evolved into more complex secondary characteristics. The wine is developing beautiful leather and tobacco notes that only emerge with proper cellaring time, while still maintaining the vibrant tannin structure that suggests many more years of drinking pleasure ahead. This timing represents the transition from youthful exuberance to mature sophistication that defines great aged Shiraz.

McLaren Vale's Mediterranean climate and diverse soil types create perfect conditions for Shiraz to develop the rich, full-bodied character showcased in this wine. The region's warm days and cool sea breezes from the nearby Gulf St Vincent help retain acidity while allowing full phenolic ripeness. Combined with old vine fruit and single vineyard sourcing, this terroir produces Shiraz with the depth and complexity that has earned this bottle its impressive 97-point Wine Orbit rating.

The blood plum and mulberry characteristics in this Shiraz represent the wine's primary fruit profile, which becomes more concentrated and nuanced with age. As the wine matures, these dark fruit flavours integrate with oak influences and develop greater complexity, moving from bright, fresh notes to deeper, more savoury expressions. The handpicked fruit quality ensures these flavours maintain their intensity even as the wine evolves over time.

Old vines typically produce lower yields but higher quality fruit with more concentrated flavours and better natural balance. These mature root systems access deeper soil layers and water sources, creating grapes with enhanced complexity and character. In this Shiraz, the old vine fruit contributes to the remarkable depth and freshness of tannins mentioned in the tasting notes, providing a structural foundation that supports both current drinking pleasure and future cellaring potential.

Given the wine's current excellent condition at seven years and the description of having 'more lives than a cat still to live', this Shiraz likely has another 8-15 years of positive development ahead. The combination of old vine fruit, single vineyard sourcing, and the wine's maintained freshness and tannin structure suggests excellent long-term cellaring potential. McLaren Vale Shiraz of this calibre often peaks between 10-20 years, making this an ideal time to either enjoy or continue cellaring.