Arila Gardens Ironstone and Quartz Gardens Shiraz 2021

Another single vineyard wine from the Estate. The fruit used from this vineyard for this wine might vary a little each year as the decision is made based on what comes up trumps (if one may use that word in accordance with its former and non-controversial meaning).  Similar process for this wine as for the Sand Gardens Grenache, though with fermentation just ten days and 25% of the oak new.

Opaque purple/magenta hue. Saturated flavours throughout, a classic Barossa Shiraz. Intense, with some serious extract, notes of chocolate, smoked meats, mocha, licorice, cassis and more. Powerful, brooding and coiled, it is lovely now but there is every indication that this wine will emerge in all its glory, even more impressive, in time. Has ten years and more for that. Dense, fine silky tannins, great length and good acidity. When I looked back at my notes for the 2020, I was a little surprised to see I had ranked it even higher, but I am sure that given time, this will be a case of the tortoise and the hare and the ’21 is likely to top it in time.