Winemaker Notes
On the plate, juicy McLaren Vale berry and plum fruit are initially present, the wine is dense and hints of leather and complimentary toasted spicy notes. The characters of the Padthaway components shine in the mid pal-ate with lively spearmint and lavender that freshen and add length to the wine. The Dead Letter Office has ripe, yet fine, soft tannins - is round and mouth filling, with fresh acidity.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Although this starts off showing loads of vanilla and bright, boysenberry-like fruit, this is not a simple fruity concoction; there’s some elegance here, and some savory notes of coffee and roasted meat, as well. Drink the rich, full-bodied Shiraz over the next few years.
Editors' Choice
Though Syrah originated in the Rhône Valley of France, Australia is home to the oldest Syrah (called Shiraz here) vines on the planet. Found in Australia’s Barossa Valley, where phylloxera has never threated viticulture, these ancient vines are between 140 to 175 years old!
Having brought fame and merit to the country’s wine scene since the early 1950s, namely via the debut of Penfolds Grange, today Syrah (Shiraz) claims rank as the most widely planted grape in Australia. In fact, the amount of land dedicated to Shiraz in Australia is now almost equivalent to what it is in France. Australian Shiraz has its own personality with flavors and aromas of intense blackberry, fruitcake, menthol, tobacco leaf and umami. Conveniently one can find great Australian Shiraz at a variety of price points but the very best will be dense, gloriously complex and capable of long aging.