As we drift away from the hotter days of summer and roll into the sweet relief of autumn, now is the perfect time to stock up on some smooth reds to ease the transition.
We’ve lined up a selection of slurpable superstars for the cooler days ahead. Leading the pack are two behemoths battling it out for top spot. First, the Curtis Small Batch Shiraz from McLaren Vale (RRP $100)—a quirky wine with top-tier pedigree, showcasing high-end Shiraz with a bit of zip. Its fierce contender is the Yaldara grand Cuvee Shiraz (RRP $250), an old-school, black and brooding beast from the Barossa.
Waiting in the wings we have two equally impressive wines to round out this pack. Showblock is a hidden gen of the Vale, delivering the smooth quality you expect of the region, whilst the 2021 Angas King Shiraz comes ready to impress.
As if this wasn't enough, we've thrown in an extra bottle of 97pt, $150 a bottle Martins Shiraz, because why not.
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!!
The 2021 Yaldara Grand is a straight Shiraz, owing to the concentration and profundity of the Shiraz fruit from this vintage. Unsurprisingly, this offers more power and concentration than any previous vintage. A massive, deep and complex expression of the best bits of the Barossa Valley. Dark chocolate, liquorice, tobacco leaf, blue and black fruits, cedar, cassis, plums, cherries, spice and plenty of cedary oak and tannins. Incredible.
96pts Sam Kim, 96pts Melbourne International Wine Competition, 95pts Kim Brebach, 94pts Ken Gargett, 3 Golds
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!
Powerful, cedary and black-fruited. A few years ago this was probably monstrous. Pleasingly, it's settling into itself, and a bit of a decant sees it drinking beautifully. Exceptional concentration of dark fruits here, along with chocolate and spice. Handpicked and basket pressed.
Rich, black, dark, deep, black curranty, powerful and well oaked. Blackcurrant, black olives, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, velvety goodness here. A superb follow-up to the excellent 2017 vintage.
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.
