Oliver’s Taranga Ihana McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022

Formula 1 fans and Drive To Survive obsessives will recognise the name Valtteri Bottas. Here, the Finnish racing driver slows down the pace and shows his interest in wine in tandem with accomplished McLaren Vale winemaker, Corrina Wright, to produce Ihana. Ihana – Finnish for ‘wonderful’ – comes with a serious price tag which seems to be par for the course for the growth in “celebrity wines,” but its intentions are honourable. Ihana isn’t loud and bold. Rather, it offers an elegant, fragrant and considered Shiraz carrying its 14.5% alcohol incredibly well. Bottas couldn’t have chosen a more stunning vintage for his collaboration and launch. Lifted, fresh aromatics in dusty, Middle Eastern spices amid a whirl of intense black fruits. Offers an under-stated style of Shiraz, almost Rhône-like, arriving in layers of complexity and always with a spicy, delicious liveliness. Medium-bodied and fine, it brings well-integrated oak into the frame before delivering a confident, long finish.