Head RED Shiraz 2023
G 93
Attractive crimson. Spices, herbs, red fruits, strawberries and redcurrants. There is also a touch of aniseed, leather and warm earth. Very much classic Shiraz, especially Barossa Shiraz. The wine is fresh, still very youthful, well balanced with silty tannins and juicy acidity and a very persistent finish. Delicious drinking but there would be nothing wrong with giving the wine a brief chill prior to opening. Drink now–2033 Heirloom Vineyards Shiraz 2023 G 93 The team source the fruit for this Barossa Shiraz from their best vineyards. It undergoes bunch sorting before fermentation, basket pressing and maturation in both American and French oak barriques for a year and a half. For me, the colour is an intense inky maroon. For the team, it is that of the dress bow-tie Count Dracula would wear to the Vampire Annual Dinner following their AGM. I’ll have to take their word for that, but I am curious to know if it would be a different colour if the dinner did not follow the AGM. No matter, and possibly a question for another day. The nose is delightful evocative with plums, mulberries, graphite, liquorice and fruitcake notes. There is a hint of austerity in the structure, but this soon evolves into generosity of flavours. The wine exhibits firm tannins on a lengthy finish and good acidity runs throughout. A 10-year proposition. Drink now–2035 Heirloom Vineyards King’s Garden Shiraz 2021 G 93 Barossa Shiraz will surely remain eternally popular thanks to wines like this. From a spectacular vintage for the region, this has it all – generous and approachable now, but a wine which continues to age majestically for many years. This is completely opaque, very dark red on the rim. The quality of the vintage is evident from the first sniff/sip. There is plenty of oak still here, still in the process of integration, but those with a modicum of patience will be well rewarded. That said, this is probably a wine which will be enjoyed more by those for whom oak is very much a plus. There are notes of chocolate, animal fur, liquorice, soy, axle grease, cold tea, cloves and blackberries. A seductive palate with a seamless structure, very fine tannins and impressive length. Enjoy this over the next 10–12 years. Drink now–2037 Henschke Johann’s Garden Grenache Mataro 2023 G 93 Medium-deep crimson. Fragrant red cherry, strawberry, rose garden. Supple and sweet fruited with strawberry red cherry, musky flavours, fine loose-knit chalky textures. Finishes bittersweet and minerally. Drink now–soon Henschke Peggy’s Hill Riesling 2025 G 93 Bushland florals, grassy, soursob-like tang, lovely even acidity and textural lines through the palate. Attractive style for all comers, while its intricacies will definitely entertain the more engaged. Drink now–2035
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The Vintage Journal
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