Price Drop: Shiraz 2021 - New Year Clearance #55886

This shiraz earned its stellar 98-point Winestate rating through meticulous vineyard selection and winemaking. Sourced from a single old vineyard in Greenock, the grapes are hand-picked individually to ensure only the finest fruit is selected. The wine then undergoes 24 months of oak barrel maturation, creating the concentrated blackberry, plum, and dark chocolate flavours that define premium Barossa shiraz. This combination of old vine intensity and extended ageing produces the exceptional structure and complexity that critics recognise.

Greenock sits in the heart of the Barossa Valley and is renowned for producing some of Australia's most powerful and age-worthy shiraz. The sub-region's warm climate and ancient soils concentrate flavours in the grapes, which explains this wine's bold blackberry and plum notes. Old vineyards in Greenock often have deep root systems that access mineral-rich subsoils, contributing to the earthy undertones and exceptional structure found in this shiraz. This terroir expression is what separates premium Barossa wines from mass-produced alternatives.

This rich, full-bodied shiraz with its dark chocolate and black olive notes pairs beautifully with robust dishes that can match its intensity. Consider slow-cooked lamb shanks, grilled ribeye steak, or aged hard cheeses like vintage cheddar. The wine's spicebox characteristics also make it excellent with barbecued meats or dishes featuring herbs like rosemary and thyme. The 24-month oak maturation adds vanilla and spice notes that complement dishes with similar flavour profiles, such as char-grilled vegetables or mushroom-based dishes.

Premium Barossa shiraz like this 2021 vintage typically peaks between 8-15 years from vintage, meaning it will be at its best from 2029-2036. However, with its exceptional structure and old vine fruit concentration, it's already drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop complexity over the next decade. The 24-month oak maturation has provided a solid tannin backbone that will support long-term ageing. Store it in a cool, dark place at consistent temperature, and consider decanting for an hour before serving to fully appreciate its evolving character.

Hand-picking individual grapes represents the pinnacle of selective harvesting, far beyond typical bunch selection. This labour-intensive process ensures only perfectly ripe, unblemished berries make it into the fermentation vessel, eliminating any under-ripe or damaged fruit that could compromise flavour. For old vine shiraz, this attention to detail is crucial because older vines often produce uneven ripening within clusters. The result is the concentrated, pure fruit expression evident in this wine's blackberry and plum characteristics, justifying both the premium quality and the multiple 95+ point ratings it has received.