Lienert Vineyards Barossa Valley Shiraz 2017

A tad old school Barossa, or is that bottle age speaking? Whatever it is, I like it. Maybe it’s a combination of both. There is a distinctive earth, smoky, leather scent that alerts the senses. This is no youngster.

It’s also reassuringly Barossa, generously so, but without the high alcohols and boldness. Red cherries, black berries, spice and chocolate roam the bouquet. Just as there is abundance of fruit, there is, in equal measure, a noticeable input from mocha, woodsy oak. It meets a light savoury, meatiness on the palate mixing with wild herbs, earth, leather. Tannins are sturdy but managed nicely. Altogether, it is in fine drinking form right now.