Shiraz 2022 - Black Market Deal #65113

Despite being full-bodied, this Shiraz maintains remarkable freshness and liveliness through natural fermentation and whole bunch inclusion. The winemaker's light-touch approach preserves the fruit's natural brightness while seasoned French oak adds complexity without overwhelming the wine's energetic character. This balance between power and elegance is what earned it 95 points from James Halliday.

The Yarra Valley's cool climate creates ideal conditions for Shiraz that retains natural acidity and develops complex spice notes. This region is renowned for producing elegant, food-friendly Shiraz with distinctive floral lift and earthy undertones. The cooler temperatures allow for extended ripening, resulting in the cranberry brightness and cedar complexity evident in this wine.

Natural fermentation uses wild yeasts from the vineyard rather than commercial strains, creating more complex flavour development and textural interest. The whole bunch component means some grape stems were included during fermentation, contributing to the wine's spicy lift and gentle tannin structure. This traditional technique adds aromatic complexity and helps create the wine's distinctive floral notes.

While this Shiraz is deliciously approachable now with its fresh, lively character, the quality fruit and careful winemaking suggest 5-8 years of cellaring potential. The gentle tannins and balanced acidity provide the structure needed for graceful ageing, where the cranberry fruit will evolve into more complex secondary flavours while the cedar and earthy notes become more integrated.

The wine's medium-to-full body and fresh acidity make it versatile with food, particularly excellent with grilled meats, roasted lamb, or aged cheeses. The earthy and cedar notes complement mushroom dishes beautifully, while the cranberry brightness cuts through rich, fatty foods. The gentle tannins won't overpower lighter fare like duck or pork, making it more food-friendly than many full-bodied reds.