Price Drop: Shiraz 2017 – Click Quick Deal #56938

This producer has been the secret weapon behind many famous South Australian wineries for decades, crafting wines as a contract winemaker before establishing their own label. Their expertise shows in this single vineyard Shiraz, which earned 94 points from Wine Pilot's Ken Gargett. The wine demonstrates their mastery of balancing plush fruit with savoury complexity, a skill honed through years of making premium wines for household names.

Langhorne Creek's unique position near Lake Alexandrina creates cooling breezes that moderate the warm continental climate, allowing Shiraz grapes to ripen slowly while retaining natural acidity. This results in the medium-bodied style seen here, where mulberry and plum flavours develop complexity without becoming overly heavy. The region's alluvial soils contribute to the wine's characteristic balance of fruit richness and savoury spice notes like allspice.

As a museum release, this Shiraz has had six years to integrate and develop secondary characteristics beyond its primary fruit flavours. The 2017 vintage was exceptional in South Australia, with ideal ripening conditions that produced wines with both power and elegance. The extended cellaring has allowed the tannins to soften while the mulberry and plum notes have evolved, creating the perfect drinking window where fruit and savoury elements are beautifully balanced.

The wine's medium body and balanced fruit-savoury profile make it incredibly versatile for food matching. The mulberry and plum flavours complement grilled meats, while the allspice notes enhance dishes with warming spices like Moroccan tagines or Indian curries. Its balanced acidity and moderate tannins also pair beautifully with aged cheeses, mushroom risottos, or even hearty vegetarian dishes, making it suitable for diverse dining occasions.

Vegan certification ensures no animal-derived products were used during winemaking, particularly in the fining and filtering processes where traditional methods might use egg whites, isinglass, or gelatin. This Shiraz achieves its clarity and stability through plant-based or mineral fining agents, demonstrating that exceptional wine quality doesn't require animal products. The certification reflects modern winemaking techniques that appeal to environmentally conscious consumers without compromising the wine's rich, full-bodied character.