Château Tanunda Old Vines Cabernet Shiraz 2023

The Estate is celebrating its 135^th anniversary in 2025, a remarkable achievement, and as part of that, they have introduced a new range, their Old Vines expression (it was not as though they were short of different ranges already, but, as they say in the classics, too much of a good thing is never enough). A 57/43 blend, after basket pressing, the wine matures in French oak for a year and a half. A dark garnet/maroon hue here, with a wonderfully evocative nose. There are notes of dried herbs, aniseed, beef stock, smoked meats, blackberries, leather, aniseed and cold tea. The palate offers focus, concentration and abundant but very fine tannins. Impressive length here and the intensity never wavers from start to finish. There is a touch of vegemite on the palate and it is immediately evident that the oak is immaculately integrated. Expect this to provide pleasure for at least the next ten to twelve years, and for it to improve further during that time.