It’s Barossa Shiraz, but not as you know it. There’s 50% whole bunches in the ferment here, wild yeast of course but the addition of whole bunches gives the wine a sense of space and airiness; still of course with all those delicious Barossa Shiraz characters that you have grown to love. This baby sees 18 days on skins, having a rest for 8 months in French oak with 47% of the barrels brand new, before gently going into bottle, un-fined and un-filtered. It’s got elegance yet with a sense of latent power under the hood — think more like a classy Aston Martin DB5 than a souped up Holden Commodore and you get the picture. There is tannin and structure but it tugs gently on the palate. Don’t be afraid to chill this down for 30 minutes or so should your mood or situation suggest that is the correct course of action.

As always, we give it the full loved-up treatment in the winery. Wild yeast, 65% whole bunches in the ferment and 11 days on skins before heading to barrel in 100% French Oak (29% new) for nine months before being bottled without fining or filtration. The wild yeast adds texture, the whole bunches light and space and no fining and filtration makes sure nothing is stripped out of the final wine.

Dark cherry-red in colour with vibrant fruit aromas of dark plum, macerated summer berry fruits along with higher tones of raspberry and redcurrant. Here are hints of deep exotic spice, Barossa earth, roasting meats, licorice, violets and gentle nutty French Oak nuances.

Medium-bodied on the palate with a lovely bright line across the palate and a sense of space to the mouthfeel. Once more the fruit flavours are of dark and black-fruits; dark plum, blackberry, mulberry with some blueberry and raspberry notes adding lift to the wine on the palate. Plenty of spicy notes, meaty nuances, floral lift and earthy tones mesh together on the palate. The finish lingers persistently and is pure and juicy with the fruit coming to the fore, gentle sandy tannins providing support and a bright line of acidity providing the drive. Elegant, delicious drinking from the excellent 2016 vintage.