Shiraz 2022 - Black Market Shiraz #53336

The unanimous 95-point scores from prestigious critics like Robert Parker Wine Advocate, James Suckling, and Halliday Wine Companion reflect the wine's exceptional quality and craftsmanship. This convergence of high ratings is rare and indicates a wine that perfectly balances the rich, full-bodied Barossa style with elegant complexity. The combination of intense blackberry fruit, cedar structure, and violet aromatics creates a harmonious profile that appeals to diverse critical palates.

The Barossa Valley's warm climate and ancient soils contribute significantly to this wine's rich, full-bodied character and intense blackberry concentration. The region's unique terroir allows Shiraz to develop deep colour and robust tannins while maintaining elegance through natural acidity. The cedar notes likely come from both the valley's distinctive soil composition and careful oak integration, while the violet aromatics are a hallmark of premium Barossa Shiraz.

Full-bodied wines like this Shiraz deliver substantial weight and intensity on the palate, creating a rich, mouth-filling experience. You'll notice higher alcohol content, concentrated flavours, and robust tannins that provide structure and aging potential. This style pairs beautifully with hearty dishes like grilled meats or aged cheeses, as the wine's power can complement rather than be overwhelmed by bold flavours.

Serve this Shiraz at 16-18°C to allow its complex aromatics of violets and blackberry to fully express themselves. The cedar notes and full-bodied structure make it ideal for pairing with red meats, particularly lamb or beef with herb crusts that complement the wine's earthy undertones. Consider decanting for 30-60 minutes to soften the tannins and enhance the fruit-forward characteristics.

Given the exceptional critical acclaim and full-bodied structure, this 2022 Shiraz has excellent cellaring potential of 8-12 years. The robust tannins and concentrated fruit will evolve beautifully, developing secondary flavours of leather, spice, and earth while the primary blackberry and violet notes integrate with the cedar components. Thistledown's Five Red Star Halliday rating indicates consistent winemaking quality that supports long-term aging.