Here’s a magical ANZ-only offer for your consideration... you’ll get two bottles of each of these six beauties... Mitchell Peppertree Shiraz is arguably one of Australia’s most reliable Shiraz, drinking right now at its very best. There’s Martins Limited Shiraz from the Vale, with a slew of 97 & 96 point reviews. Karl’s Scepter (made by ex-Penfolds winemaker Oliver Crawford) is packed with intense blackcurrant and blackberries along with macerating cherries and spice. Curtis Small Batch Shiraz, retailing for $100 a bottle, offers exceptional long-term cellaring whilst drinking beautifully now. Carlos Serres is a bit of an OG - one of the few Rioja producers with a century of winemaking behind them, packed with red fruits, cherries, spice, oak and nervy acidity. Finally we have a lovely, medium bodied, blue fruited and peppery Shiraz from the Yarra Valley by Celebration.
97pts Sam Kim, 96pts Ken Gargett, 96pts Kim Brebach, 96pts Winestate Magazine, Gold - CWSA
The Martins has maintained the exceptionally high standard it set with the 2018 vintage. Fruits are blacks and blues, with blueberries, blackberries, olive tapenade, cedar and vanilla populating a powerful and long palate. The tannins are polished, waxy and plentiful. The overall package, outstanding!
96pts Kim Brebach, 95pts Wine Pilot, 94pts Sam Kim
A riper, darker and more supple expression of Peppertree Shiraz which retains the hallmark, spice and subtlety. It was aged in old oak and released at 5 years of age – ready to drink! This is balanced and fresh, offering dark fruits, cherries, violets, dark chocolate, savoury notes and white pepper. Drink any time over the next 10+ years.
Carlos Serres is a bit of an OG - one of the few Rioja producers with a century of winemaking behind them. Carlos was actually named Charles, a French Winemaker who left Bordeaux, fed up with dealing with phylloxera riddled vineyards, landing in Spain. He founded the first winery in Rioja with export certification and applied French winemaking techniques to Rioja fruit. Pretty soon, there was a demand for Rioja in the rest of Europe and the US.
Carlos Serres Crianza is 100% Tempranillo and spends 14 months in a combo of French and American oak. Being 'Crianza', the wine has spent a year in barrel, and another on bottle prior to release. Typically aged in older oak, Crianza can have quite assertive tannins and fruit which is intense whilst retaining great freshness. This is a particularly good example, packed with red fruits, cherries, spice, oak and nervy acidity.
96pts Sam Kim, 95pts Kim Brebach, 94pts Ken Gargett
A black, plush, and full-bodied Shiraz made from 80-year-old vines. Exceptional fruit intensity here, and weight of black fruits on the palate. Opulence is balanced by judicious acidity and there’re plenty of tannins driving through to an epic conclusion. Decant if you are going to enjoy now, otherwise cellar!
A powerful Barossa Cab which announces itself with varietally appropriate aromatic lift in the form of violets and greenery. The palate is concentrated, replete with blackcurrant and blackberries along with macerating cherries and spice. Plenty of cedar and plenty of fine to medium weight tannins to finish. Begging for a rare to medium T-Bone.
A lovely, medium bodied, blue fruited and peppery Shiraz from the Yarra Valley. There are red fruits here too, specifically cranberry. The wine is soft and bright with good length. Great with charcuterie or perhaps a prosciutto pizza.
If you want any further information on any of the wines, you know what to do, just flick Jamie an email at jamie.lloydjones@winedirect.com.au or call on 08 8352 3094.
