Seriously cool shiraz to check out
There’s a lot to love about shiraz, and there’s also tons to discover if you head out of its South Australian heartland (looking at you, Barossa). Here’s five seriously cool drops that our buyer Pete is loving right now - both Aussie made and from further afield, too.
Rall Red 2020
Winemaker Donovan Rall has been making some of the best wines in South Africa, year after year. Such is the cult following, that we had to do some serious sweet-talking to get our hands on our allocations. is a serious and structured style with a couple of years in bottle to settle into its stride. There’s a charmingly rustic quality on display. It’s rich and earthy, with red and black fruit bubbling up from undertones of black pepper and exotic spice. It’d be lost without some refreshing acidity, but that is happily delivered in spades. If you love top-notch wine, but can’t be doing with pretense, this is for you. Just honestly brilliant winemaking and great drinking. “One of the best reds I've had all year" according to our Head Broker, Dave (and me, too).
El Enemigo Syrah Viognier 2020
Lovers of the Northern Rhône will be smitten with this Argentine gem; the innovative minds at El Enemigo have caught lightning in a bottle. How else can you describe the spitting image of a Northern Rhône red that hails from across the globe in the foothills of the breathtaking Andes Mountains? The wine has structure and power with aromas of black fruits, tobacco and spice. On the palate it’s quite concentrated but not overbearing at all, in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Incredibly moreish. Trust me. I’ve tasted it. Now I want another glass.
Shiraz 2020 – Black Market Deal #45169
This is not just unique. It’s glorious. The Pyrenees region might be a small drop in the sea of Victorian winemaking, but the quality is consistently higher from this region of overachievers. And I think this one’s pretty spectacular. So spectacular that I’ve known previous vintages of this wine to be amongst my favourite shiraz. Ever. It has shades of violets and a concentrated, fruit forward nose. A little bit of the Rhône-esque characters of meat and game compliment the floral dark fruits, with a touch of well-handled oak to impart such luscious tannic structure.
Shiraz 2021 – Black Market Deal #48283
Rustic, deep, powerful Heathcote shiraz, this is expertly composed. Dark cherry and fennel swirl around a deep bramble and red currant. Heathcote shiraz is very much a category that speaks loudly and proudly of place, as all great wine should. Ancient soils bleeding complexity and depth into the fruit. Warm, consistent summers allowing ripeness to develop gradually and deftly. And cool mountain breezes providing respite and refrain where bright acidity can be nurtured and retained. There is nothing simple or one-track about the fruit, it is richly complex and packed full of intrigue. The full spectrum of fruit on display - ripe red berries, high tone blue plum, brash and imposing black currant. Mocha, leather and French oak nuance lurk at the periphery, but this is The Fruit Show, ticket for one please.
Shiraz 2019 – Black Market Deal #46641
Beechworth is among the most exciting Australian wine regions for me, and this is pitch perfect shiraz. What’s produced is often done so in small batches, and with great care - across the board the wines are, in a word, outstanding. Softly fruited and supple on the palate, the fruit is lifted and bright. Blueberries, plums and bramble lead out, with richer redcurrant and mulberry following. The acid is pitch perfect, nervy but driving. The tannin is rigid enough to frame the fruit without becoming cumbersome. This is the work of an excellent winemaking team in a leading growing region in Beechworth. We’re stoked to be working with this label, and I know you’ll love it.
Keen to browse more? We get it - there’s plenty to discover. Check out our other latest and greatest shiraz here.