1847 Gully Winds Reserve Barossa Shiraz 2022

1847 Gully Winds Reserve Barossa Shiraz 2022 ($295) – From 65-year-old vines in the Rowland Flat area of the Barossa, the wine was matured in a mix of 40% new and older American oak, 50% older French and 10% Russian. Under Vinc Cork. Dark maroon with a magenta rim, there is oak evident here, but it is clearly high quality and deftly handled, even if integration is still proceeding. We have notes of mocha, coffee beans, leather, chocolate, aniseed, black fruits, tar and cocoa powder, along with hints of vanilla, cinnamon and a nutmeggy touch. The structure is seamless, dense but dancing, and there is superb length and immaculate balance here. The wine finishes with very fine, powdery tannins. On the palate towards the finish, the chocolate notes are almost overwhelming, but rather delicious. A wine which will surely handle the next twenty years with ease.