A beaut example of Shiraz from the Northern end of Margaret River, there must be something in the water over there (probably some of that Pilbarra iron everyone talks about). Dark dark red in colour the nose is a satisfying hit of spiced dark fruit, American oak, and dry red earth. The palate is layered with rich fruit and fine dusty tannins with a slight red-meat-gaminess. This will cellar easily for five or so years, after that is anyone’s guess.
James Halliday: 93 There's a lot of action-packed flavour here: black cherry, plum, heaps of spice, licorice and ever so slightly green tannins on the finish.
Vintage notes: The 2013 vintage follows a string of warm and dry vintages for the Margaret River region. A very fast vintage for whites broke with about an inch of rain followed by a week of cool weather. Reds paused their ripening march sufficiently long enough for all to take a breather and as is fairly typical in Margaret River, we were then subjected to an extraordinary Indian summer which pushed the reds to just about perfect maturity.
The vintage will be fine and rich, fuller bodied whites with reds that are deeply coloured with terrific varietal flavour and fruit aromas; it could be a classic, time will tell.
Don't Pay: $25.00
WBW Rating: 93/100
Closure: Stelvin
Region: Margaret River, WA
Winemaker: Brian Fletcher
Drink now until: 2020+
Alc/Vol: 14 %
