2020 Paul Mara Estates Areti Shiraz
G 97
Deep colour. Superb intense dark plum, blackberry dark chocolate aromas with roasted chestnut, aniseed notes. Extraordinarily concentrated and voluminous wine with deep-set dark chocolate blackberry flavours, superb new oak integration, velvety textures and integrated fresh acidity. Finishes cedar firm with supple long dark berry fruits and mocha notes. Plush, complex and powerful yet surprisingly refined and balanced. This is distinctively Penfoldsian in style, yet daring in selection and concentration. It’s built to last with all the richness, density and detail for long term ageing. It must come as no surprise that the fruit sourcing is about as alpha as one can get. Paul Mara’s Block 1A is ground zero of the Marananga sub-region and Nietschke’s Paradigm Vineyard material is classic. Paul Georgiadis is one of the region’s finest viticulturalists and Jason Barrette is a brilliantly talented winemaker, having notched up several vintages with the Penfolds team in South Australia and with Nicole Rolet at Chène Bleu in France. This is a blockbuster style (with a heavy bottle), but the wine is beautifully made, reflecting its outstanding provenance. Cork seal. 95% Shiraz, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Only 800 bottles made. 2028–2045 2021 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Old Vines Shiraz G 97 Deep crimson. Lovely pure blackberry pastille, cassis, hint dark chocolate, pepper aromas. Generous and inky with ample blackberry, mulberry fruits, fine loose-knit velvety textures and underlying vanilla, marzipan notes. Finishes chocolaty and minerally. A brilliant Coonawarra Shiraz with superb fruit definition, density, buoyancy and length. Based on heirloom vineyards–Undoolya (1894) and Johnson’s Block (1925). A wonderful vintage with the structure for long term ageing. Now–2035 2021 Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz G 97 Medium-deep crimson. Classical blackberry, dark chocolate, mocha aromas with roasted walnut, hint spice/aniseed notes. Richly concentrated and velvety textured wine with ample blackberry, praline flavours, fine dense chocolaty firm tannins and underlying roasted walnut savoury notes. Finishes claret firm with aniseed notes and persistent seductive sweet fruits. Exemplifies the art of blending. Delicious and timeless Australian style. One of the best ever Bin 28 vintages. 100% Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, Clare Valley. 12 months’ maturation in 7% new and 93% seasoned American oak hogsheads. Now–2035
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The Vintage Journal
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