"Another example of the superb 2021 vintage, for this, the team’s flagship red. The name comes from 1633, when Charles 1st brought Lord James Johnston forth as Earl of Hartfell. He was later promoted to Earl of Annandale, though why that is a superior position is something you’ll have to enquire of a historian (or perhaps the good folk of Annandale) for the answer. The wine is indeed fit for royalty (are Earls royalty or just aristocracy?). An opaque maroon, there is still a fair amount of oak evident here, but it is in the process of integration and all is going very well. There are notes of cassis, mocha, vanilla, black fruits, chocolate, coffee beans, bay leaves and black cherries. There are even slight hints of animal flesh, adding to the complexity. Seamless and supple, the wine has a gorgeous creamy texture. This is a classic McLaren Vale Shiraz and a really good one. Silky tannins and great length round things out. Fifteen to twenty years if you have the patience. 97." - Ken Gargett