Head Wines The Contrarian Shiraz 2021

Plenty to like here in what is a modern Barossan style with 25% whole bunch fruit softened by 18 months aging in older, ex Chardonnay oak. It opens up beautifully, no doubt thanks to the generosity of the 2021 vintage, with roasted meat and spice aromas underpinned by tar, liquorice and juicy black cherry fruits. It’s then plush and velvety with stalky tannins rising up to provide backbone to a pleasing finish. Worth letting this wine settle for a couple of years for those tannins to better integrate.

Angus Hughson

Founder at Winepilot

Angus is an award-winning wine writer and the Founder and Publisher of Winepilot, the Australian Editor for leading international publication VINOUS with Antonio Galloni based in New York City and the Co-Publisher of The Australian Ark with over 15 years of publishing, writing and judging experience.

Criticauthor and publisher