Shiraz 2019 – Black Market Deal #44796

The Pyrenees region in Victoria is renowned for producing structured, elegant Shiraz with distinctive mineral undertones from its ancient volcanic soils. This wine showcases the region's ability to balance power with finesse, delivering the bold plum and blackberry flavours typical of Australian Shiraz while maintaining the textural complexity and savoury edge that Pyrenees is famous for. The cooler climate compared to Barossa or McLaren Vale allows for slower ripening, resulting in more nuanced spice and pepper characteristics.

Serve this wine at 16-18°C to allow the complex aromatics of plum, raspberry and cocoa to fully express themselves. Decanting for 30-60 minutes will help soften the tannins and integrate the vanilla oak notes with the fruit flavours. The wine's textural, savoury style makes it perfect for pairing with grilled meats, aged cheeses, or hearty Mediterranean dishes where the black olive and peppery characteristics can complement rich, umami-driven flavours.

A 90-point rating from Wine Orbit places this Shiraz in the 'outstanding' category, indicating exceptional quality and complexity for its price point. This score reflects the wine's successful balance of fruit concentration, structural integrity, and regional character. The additional recognition as a boutique producer wine suggests small-batch craftsmanship and attention to detail that often delivers superior value compared to mass-produced alternatives.

This 2019 Shiraz is drinking beautifully now, with its soft stroking tannins and integrated vanilla oak showing excellent development after four years. The wine's medium body and balanced structure suggest it will continue to evolve gracefully for another 5-8 years, with the plum and blackberry flavours likely to develop more savoury, earthy complexity. If you enjoy fruit-forward styles, drink it now; if you prefer more developed, tertiary flavours, cellar it until 2027-2030.

The wine's savoury profile and black olive characteristics make it ideal for Mediterranean cuisine, particularly lamb with rosemary, beef bourguignon, or aged hard cheeses like aged cheddar or Parmigiano-Reggiano. The plum and blackberry fruit flavours complement game meats beautifully, while the peppery oak background enhances barbecued dishes with herb rubs. The soft tannin structure also pairs well with mushroom-based dishes where the earthy, umami elements can harmonise with the wine's textural complexity.