Brokenwood Wines Wade Block 2 Vineyard Shiraz 2018

Okay, without doubt, McLaren Vale’s distinctive Blewitt Springs must be one of the country’s great shiraz zones. It delivers less opulent sweet fruit than much of McLaren Vale and instead has a more dusty, dried herb savouriness that creeps into it.

This is beautiful, with sweet black fruits on the nose with a chocolaty licorice-like character. The palate is the standout feature for me with its medium weight and sustained intensity. It is perfectly structured with a fine balance between the oak and fruit supported by those chalky tannins. Supremely stylish shiraz.