Shiraz 2018 - Black Market Deal #49115

This wine is crafted from exceptional small parcels of old vine fruit, which typically produces more concentrated flavours and complexity than younger vines. The old vines have deeper root systems that access unique mineral profiles in the Barossa soil, resulting in the wine's syrupy, opulent character. Combined with the winery's selective approach of only making this wine in outstanding vintages, you're getting a premium expression that showcases the best of what Barossa Shiraz can offer.

The blood plum notes come from the concentrated old vine fruit and the warm Barossa climate, which allows Shiraz grapes to develop intense dark fruit characteristics. The tobacco flavours emerge from the oak treatment and the wine's full-bodied structure, creating secondary aromas that develop during fermentation and ageing. These complementary flavours work together with the oaky backbone to create a complex tasting experience that evolves as the wine opens up in your glass.

While this powerful, full-bodied Shiraz is certainly enjoyable now with its rich, syrupy character, wines of this calibre from old vines typically have excellent cellaring potential. The 2018 vintage has had enough time to integrate its tannins and develop complexity, but the concentrated fruit and structure suggest it could continue evolving beautifully for another 8-12 years. If you choose to drink it now, decanting for an hour will help showcase its opulent qualities.

This full-bodied wine with its blood plum richness and tobacco notes pairs beautifully with robust red meats like grilled lamb, beef brisket, or aged steaks. The oaky character complements barbecued or smoked meats particularly well, while the wine's power can stand up to rich, flavourful dishes like braised short ribs or game meats. For cheese pairings, try aged cheddar or blue cheese to complement the wine's intensity and complexity.

The exceptional ratings from Ray Jordan (96 points) and Shanteh Wale (95 points) reflect the wine's outstanding quality markers - old vine fruit, single vineyard sourcing, and the winery's selective vintage approach. Critics particularly value wines that demonstrate terroir expression and winemaking excellence, which this Shiraz clearly delivers through its concentrated, complex character. The combination of premium fruit sources, careful vintage selection, and the resulting syrupy, powerful style represents exactly what top-tier Barossa Shiraz should be.