Ranked #5 of 112 2013 Shiraz from McLaren Vale
95/100
5 Stars
Huon Hooke
Very deep, dark red-purple hue and a tremendously concentrated aroma of graphite, pepper, spices and earth. It's very full-bodied and dense, concentrated and firm with tight tannins and relatively little fruit sweetness. Instead, there's amazing structure. The whole-bunch component gives a vegetal note to the complex bouquet. A very big, muscular, powerful wine which needs ages. (14.5% alc.)
Tasted: 05/04/2016
Drink: 2021 to 2043
97 Points James Halliday
From two vineyard blocks on a gravelly ironstone outcrop, a barrel selection that is said to focus on ironstone characters. Hand-picked, cold soak, 25% whole bunches, wild-fermented, matured in French oak (40% new) for 15 months. Sombre, earthy black fruits are so intense they momentarily stop the heart from beating. The texture and mouthfeel are such that they throw down the gauntlet to anyone seeking to drink more than a glass at this early (indeed far too early) stage of its life. The balance is spot on the money, so the long term future is assured. Drink to 2053.
James Halliday. March, 2023