Yalumba Virgilius Viognier 2023
G 96
Unquestionably Australia’s flagship Viognier, and has been for many years, the Virgilius sits comfortably with the best made on the planet (and is usually significantly better buying). From the Eden Valley, this comes from the team’s oldest Viognier vines, first planted back in 1980 when there seemed every chance that it would slide into extinction. This vintage spent 10 months in French oak. A pale lemon hue, this is beautifully aromatic. No escaping the grape though – Viognier is as distinctive as Gewürztraminer when well made. There is ginger and lemongrass here, but most especially apricot, along with other stonefruits like mandarins and nectarines and a touch of orange rind. We also have aromas of spices and a touch of limes. Such balance and length! Superb. Drink now–2035 Head Wines Ancestor Vine Grenache 2023 G 95+ Medium-deep crimson. Fragrant chinotto, raspberry pastille red liquorice aromas. Well-concentrated raspberry cola, mulberry fruits, firm chalky tannins and some cedar/ roasted walnut notes. Still in parts but will develop well. Drink now–2036 Teusner Righteous FG Shiraz 2021 G 95+ Deep crimson. Intense dark chocolate, dark berry aromas with flinty, bush garrigue notes. Fresh choco-berry flavours, attractive mid-palate richness and well- integrated new oak complexity. Finishes cedary and long. Still juicy in parts but should develop well. At this stage a pretty good Shiraz rather than a FG Shiraz. The story will unfold. Drink 2028–2040+ 1847 Wines Grand Pappy’s Shiraz 2021 G 95 Old vine Barossa Shiraz from a stellar vintage – what more could you want? Under cork. An opaque maroon, this is a powerful style, concentrated and muscular. The nose offers notes of soy, cloves, black olives, chocolate, kirsch, leather, warm earth and cassis. This is seamless, with some serious intensity lasting all the journey. Good focus, silky tannins, such impressive length and what a future. This has fifteen years ahead, at the very least. There are hints of roast meats emerging on the palate, too. Stunning stuff. Drink now–2040+ 1847 Wines First Pick Shiraz 2021 G 95 Another special Barossa Shiraz, from old vines, low yields and a fabulous vintage. If you love big, bold Barossa reds, splash out! Again, under cork and also the hefty bottle. This is near black in colour. Excellent oak integration, still melding but adding a gorgeous vanillin note to the wine. On the nose, we have chocolate, plums, graphite, black fruits, axle grease, cloves, charcuterie, blueberries and mulberries. Concentration throughout, the intensity never wavers. Sleek tannins and a supple texture, formidable stuff. Immaculate balance and impressive length; if you can leave this in the cellar for three to five years before opening one, you won’t regret it. Then enjoy for the following ten to twenty years. Cracking stuff. Drink 2028–2043
South Australia Wine Guide 2026 | Barossa
81
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