Sorby Adams Reverend Canon Shiraz 2020

This wine represents the classic Barossa style that first put Australian Shiraz on the world map - rich, powerful, and built for longevity. The use of 30% new French oak adds European elegance to the bold Australian fruit character, creating layers of complexity with cedar notes complementing the intense blackberry and plum flavours. Simon Adams' pedigree as former head winemaker at Yalumba brings decades of expertise to crafting this premium single vineyard expression.

This wine has already benefited from four years of careful cellaring and is drinking beautifully now, but it's built for the long haul with another decade of prime drinking ahead. The combination of old vine fruit intensity, quality French oak integration, and the 2020 vintage's excellent structure means it will continue developing complexity through the 2030s. The high tannin structure typical of premium Barossa Shiraz provides the backbone for extended ageing.

The wine's rich mocha and blood plum characteristics make it perfect for hearty red meat dishes like slow-cooked lamb shanks, grilled ribeye, or venison. The French oak influence and spice notes complement dishes with earthy flavours such as mushroom risotto or aged hard cheeses. The wine's full-bodied structure can stand up to bold flavours like barbecued meats with smoky marinades or rich chocolate-based desserts.

The consistent 94-96 point scores from multiple critics reflect the exceptional quality achieved through old vine fruit and expert winemaking. Ray Jordan's 96-point rating particularly highlights the wine's perfect balance of power and finesse that defines great Barossa Shiraz. These ratings recognise not just the immediate drinking pleasure, but the wine's potential for long-term development and the single vineyard expression that showcases terroir authenticity.

Old vine Shiraz typically comes from vines that are 30+ years old, with some Barossa vineyards dating back over a century. These mature vines produce smaller yields of more concentrated fruit, resulting in wines with greater depth, complexity, and natural balance. The deep root systems of old vines access different soil layers, contributing to the wine's distinctive mineral backbone and the intense black cherry and blood plum flavours that define this premium bottling.