Price Drop: Shiraz 2018 – Clearance Deal #44591

This flagship Shiraz represents the pinnacle of Barossa winemaking, crafted from fruit including vines planted over 150 years ago. The combination of ancient vine fruit and 25% new French oak maturation creates extraordinary complexity and depth. Its exceptional ratings across multiple critics (97pts Wine Advocate, 95pts Halliday) reflect the meticulous attention to detail that only iconic producers can achieve.

While this wine is drinking beautifully now with its silky elegance, it's built for the long haul with serious cellaring potential spanning decades. The structure from old vine fruit and French oak provides the backbone for graceful ageing, where the current plum and dark chocolate flavours will evolve into more complex tertiary notes. Consider drinking some bottles now and saving others for 10-20 years to experience its full evolution.

The wine's rich palate weight and complex flavour profile of plum, cinnamon, dark chocolate and cedar make it perfect for robust dishes. Think slow-cooked lamb with rosemary, aged beef steaks, or rich game meats that can match its intensity. The French oak influence and peppery notes also complement hard cheeses and charcuterie beautifully.

Old vines, particularly those over 150 years old like some used in this wine, produce fruit with incredible concentration and complexity due to their deep root systems and naturally low yields. These ancient vines have adapted perfectly to Barossa's terroir, creating wines with greater depth, more nuanced flavours, and superior ageing potential. The scarcity of such old plantings makes wines from these vines particularly prized by collectors and connoisseurs.

The careful use of 25% new French oak adds structure and complexity without overwhelming the fruit character, contributing the cedar and subtle spice notes you'll taste. French oak is prized for its fine grain and elegant tannin integration, allowing the wine's natural fruit flavours to shine while adding layers of vanilla, toast, and spice. The remaining 75% older oak ensures the wine maintains its regional Barossa character while gaining sophistication from the new wood component.