Shiraz 2024 - Black Market Deal #65109

Greenock sits in the heart of the Barossa Valley and is renowned for producing some of Australia's most concentrated and age-worthy Shiraz. The sub-region's ancient soils, combined with old vine fruit like that used in this wine, create wines with exceptional depth and complexity. The hand-picking of individual grapes from these old vines ensures only the most flavour-concentrated fruit makes it into the bottle, resulting in the intense blackberry and dark chocolate notes you'll experience.

Extended oak maturation is crucial for full-bodied Shiraz to develop its complex flavour profile and smooth out powerful tannins. During these 24 months, the wine undergoes slow oxidation and extracts vanilla, spice, and toast notes from the oak while the fruit flavours concentrate and integrate. This lengthy process transforms what could be an overpowering young wine into a structured, elegant expression with the mouth-filling finish that defines premium Barossa Shiraz.

A 98-point score from Vinomasters places this Shiraz in the 'outstanding' category, indicating near-perfect winemaking with exceptional complexity, balance, and ageing potential. Vinomasters uses a rigorous 100-point scale where wines scoring 95+ are considered among Australia's finest. This rating, combined with the Double Gold medal, suggests the wine demonstrates flawless integration of fruit, oak, and tannins - exactly what you'd expect from premium old-vine Barossa fruit.

Serve this Shiraz at 16-18°C to allow its complex aromatics to fully express themselves without the alcohol overwhelming the palate. Decant for at least 30 minutes before serving to soften the tannins and release those concentrated blackberry and dark chocolate notes. The wine's outstanding structure means it will pair beautifully with rich, flavourful dishes like slow-cooked lamb, aged beef, or strong cheeses that can match its intensity.

With its concentrated old-vine fruit, 24-month oak maturation, and outstanding structure, this Shiraz has excellent cellaring potential of 10-15 years or more. The wine's current power and tannin structure will gradually soften and integrate, developing secondary flavours of leather, tobacco, and dried herbs alongside the primary fruit. However, its exceptional quality means it's also drinking beautifully now for those who prefer the vibrant, fruit-forward style of younger premium Shiraz.