Shiraz 2023 – Black Market Deal #60069

This exceptional rating reflects the wine's sourcing from old vines in Greenock, one of Barossa's most prestigious sub-regions known for producing intensely concentrated fruit. The meticulous hand-picking process ensures only the finest grapes are selected, while 24 months of oak maturation develops the complex layers of blackberry, plum, and dark chocolate that critics love. Old vine fruit typically produces lower yields but dramatically higher quality, creating the concentrated flavours and outstanding structure that earned this wine recognition from Wine Orbit.

Given its full-bodied structure and 24-month oak maturation, this Shiraz has excellent cellaring potential of 8-12 years from vintage. The concentrated old vine fruit and robust tannin structure typical of Greenock Shiraz will allow the wine to develop additional complexity over time. While delicious now, the wine will likely reach its peak drinking window around 2028-2032, when the bold fruit flavours integrate further with the oak and earthy undertones.

The wine's rich blackberry and plum flavours, combined with dark chocolate and black olive notes, make it perfect for robust red meat dishes like grilled lamb, beef brisket, or aged steaks. The earthy undertones and full body also complement game meats, mature hard cheeses, and dishes with Mediterranean herbs. The 24-month oak maturation adds enough structure to stand up to bold flavours like barbecued meats or rich, slow-cooked stews.

Greenock sits in the heart of the Barossa Valley and is renowned for its old vine Shiraz plantings, some dating back over 100 years. The sub-region's unique combination of red clay soils and ideal elevation creates perfect conditions for producing intensely flavoured, structured Shiraz. Many of Australia's most celebrated Shiraz wines originate from Greenock's ancient vineyards, where the old vines naturally restrict yields and concentrate flavours, resulting in the bold, complex wines the area is famous for.

Basket pressing is a traditional, gentle extraction method where grapes are pressed in small batches using a wooden basket press, applying minimal pressure to avoid extracting harsh tannins from seeds and stems. This technique preserves the pure fruit flavours and creates a more refined wine structure compared to modern pneumatic presses. For premium Shiraz like this, basket pressing helps maintain the wine's elegant balance while extracting maximum colour and flavour, contributing to the exceptional quality that earned its 96-point rating.