Shiraz 2022 – Black Market Deal #63349

The exceptional 98-point Vinomasters rating and 96-point Wine Orbit score reflect the wine's masterful expression of classic Barossa terroir. The full-bodied structure showcases the region's ability to produce intensely concentrated Shiraz with remarkable depth. These outstanding scores indicate a wine that perfectly balances power with finesse, demonstrating why Barossa Valley remains Australia's premier Shiraz region.

The blood plum provides the wine's rich fruit foundation, typical of premium Barossa Shiraz where warm climate conditions concentrate berry flavours. The tobacco notes emerge from careful oak integration and the wine's full-bodied structure, creating complexity that evolves in the glass. These earthy undertones complement the fruit, suggesting this wine will develop even more savoury characteristics with proper cellaring.

This rich, full-bodied Shiraz demands equally robust dishes to match its intensity and earthy tobacco notes. Think slow-cooked lamb shanks, grilled ribeye steaks, or hearty beef stews that can stand up to the wine's power. The blood plum fruit character also pairs beautifully with game meats like venison or duck, while the earthy elements complement mushroom-based dishes and aged hard cheeses.

While this full-bodied Shiraz is certainly approachable now, the exceptional critic scores suggest it has significant cellaring potential. The 2022 vintage from Barossa benefited from ideal growing conditions, producing wines with both immediate appeal and long-term structure. You can enjoy it now for its vibrant fruit expression, or cellar it for 5-10 years to allow the tobacco and earthy elements to integrate further with the blood plum core.

Craneford's ability to achieve such high critical acclaim (98 points from Vinomasters) demonstrates their mastery of Barossa Shiraz winemaking. The Firestation label suggests a connection to local heritage, which many premium Barossa producers embrace to reflect their deep regional roots. Their focus on full-bodied, rich styles showcases traditional Barossa winemaking while achieving the complexity and balance that critics recognise in world-class wines.