Hewitson Ned & Henry’s Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021

Grabs you at first sight literally with those brilliant, iridescent purple hues. Fruit driven aromas set about seducing you further, laced in black cherry, bramble and plum, ably assisted by aniseed, briar earthy notes and background vanilla spice. Ned and Henry’s Shiraz is one lively, sweet-fruited, plummy and utterly enjoyable wine clearly intended for earlier rather than later drinking. Fine tannins help deliver that drinkability and, it must also be said, that the role of oak – seasoned French oak barriques aged three to 10 years in age – provides agreeable woodsy spice and texture, while never being loud or intrusive. This is one smart Barossa shiraz.