Kirrihill EB’s The Squire Clare Shiraz 2022

The team’s flagship Shiraz, the grapes are harvested from the oldest block on the Schrober’s Vineyard, not surprisingly known as the Old Schrober’s Block. It is dry grown and very low yielding, with 5% of 2024 fruit has been added. Maturation was in four-year-old French oak casks and the wine is under cork. A vibrant inky dark purple, the wine is still exhibiting considerable oak, though integration is proceeding well. The nose reveals notes of black fruits, chocolate, cold tea, graphite, beef stock, mocha, bergamot and soy. There is serious length here with good intensity for the full journey, finishing with chalky tannins. A muscular style which sees those chocolate notes really emerge to advantage on the palate. This will provide pleasure for at least the next fifteen years, longer in good cellars.