Hentley Farm The Stray Grenache, Shiraz 2023
G 93
Medium-deep crimson. Intense red and black berry fruits with some walnut chinotto notes. An early drinking style with plentiful redcurrant, red cherry, blackberry and loose-knit chalky textures. Travels across the palate with an increasing tannin profile. Bittersweet and chewy at the finish with an aniseed kick. A conversation wine. Drink now–2032 Hewitson Ned & Henry’s Shiraz 2023 G 93 Medium-deep crimson. Attractive blackberry, roasted walnut aromas with some peppery notes. Supple and velvety textured with ample blackberry, roasted walnut, touch ginger, peppery flavours and fine slinky tannins. Finishes chocolaty and long with juicy dark berry fruits and hint leafy notes. A versatile and classic Barossa style for early or medium-term drinking. Drink now–2033 Hoffman Mickan Block Durif, Shiraz 2020 G 93 The wine is an even split between Durif and Shiraz, both from the Barossa Valley. A tiny production, 35 dozen, but it is definitely worth seeking. The wine spent three and a half years maturing in older French oak. Blood red/magenta colour here, the nose gives us notes resembling handfuls of warm earth, cranberries, mulberries, truffles, leather, cloves, and beef stock. There is also a rather appealing bone marrow character. The structure is seamless and there are fine satiny tannins sitting at the end of the impressive length. The wine is finely balanced throughout. A 10-year proposition, longer if needed. My pick of the portfolio. Drink now–2035 Irvine Wines Altitude Shiraz 2022 G 93 Fascinating to compare Shiraz from the same team and same vintage, with the only difference being the Barossa up against the Eden Valley (yes, I know it is not a competition, but it sort of is). This time, the Barossa wins the chocolates (as football commentators seem keen to say). But only by the proverbial whisker. The colour here is a very dark maroon. The wine is plush, ripe and balanced, not to mention utterly delicious. A cuddly texture with cashmere-like tannins, the nose gives us notes of chocolate, mocha, liquorice, dried herbs and bay leaves. The intensity is maintained from start to finish, with the length seriously impressive. Love it; this is surely a wine with a great future and it should continue to improve. Drink now–2040 Jacob’s Creek Our Limited Release Bunchy Shiraz 2023 G 93 In the world of weird names given to wines – and that is one seriously big category – Bunchy Shiraz has to be right up there. Of course, as ever, it is what is in the bottle that counts. The wine is a dark, vibrant purple, with notes of plums, mulberries, mocha and coffee grinds. A touch of spicy oak is still in place. The texture is supple and seductive and there is excellent length here. Abundant, but very fine tannins tie things together at the finish. Like it a lot – just don’t worry about the weird name. Drink now–2037
South Australian Wine Guide 2026 | Barossa
131
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