A medium-bodied Yarra Shiraz that in today’s parlance could have been called syrah to reflect its less-robust style. Has been whole-bunch fermented, and a small amount crushed by foot. The bunches were left unbroken and sealed in the fermenter for two weeks before pressing direct to big oak barrels. Gravelly, grainy palates, with a soft supply mouth feel. Has a meaty, earthy plum character, with subtle oak in support.

There's no information about the fermentation techniques used, but there has to be a whole bunch component. The bouquet has spiced barnyard aromas against a background of luscious dark fruits and soft tannins.

Here's a rare thing loose in South Australia: a soupy rich Shiraz syrup without gloop. Goodness me. Somehow, it's not all berries, but somewhere near a bortsch made with ripe sweet beets with a swirl of good fresh yoghurt or sour cream. The best one I had was on a Russian ferry that got loose in these austral waters: somebody in Vladivostok had welded her bow doors shut and filled the cargo hold with stifling cabins. The officers' beets had been downstairs even further in some great fridge, ripening slowly since the revolution. Because we had no blazers, we could not not sit at the Captain's table, but we were afforded his top vittles. I wish I had a bottle of this to send across in return.Got off the track ... coming back to it, I reckon I can smell pomegranate ... that soft long velvety tannin ... yep, bortsch, a smoked strout on the side with a worried cornucopia of sprouts and capers; sourdough rye ..

A highly spicy shiraz with textbook pimento aromas. The palate is delightfully textural and balanced with excellent harmony and true savouriness. A unique, savoury shiraz with great drinkability.

Here's a rare thing loose in South Australia: a soupy rich Shiraz syrup without gloop. Goodness me. Somehow, it's not all berries, but somewhere near a bortsch made with ripe sweet beets with a swirl of good fresh yoghurt or sour cream. The best one I had was on a Russian ferry that got loose in these austral waters: somebody in Vladivostok had welded her bow doors shut and filled the cargo hold with stifling cabins. The officers' beets had been downstairs even further in some great fridge, ripening slowly since the revolution. Because we had no blazers, we could not not sit at the Captain's table, but we were afforded his top vittles. I wish I had a bottle of this to send across in return.Got off the track ... coming back to it, I reckon I can smell pomegranate ... that soft long velvety tannin ... yep, bortsch, a smoked strout on the side with a worried cornucopia of sprouts and capers; sourdough rye ..

A highly spicy shiraz with textbook pimento aromas. The palate is delightfully textural and balanced with excellent harmony and true savouriness. A unique, savoury shiraz with great drinkability.