Pepperjack Mid Strength Barossa Shiraz 2021

The rules for engagement when looking for a low alcohol wine? Keep an open mind. Not all low alcohol wines are created equal. It helps to have quality fruit for a start (yes, even for a low alcohol 7% abv. wine). The 2021 vintage in the Barossa Valley was a stunner and Pepperjack, a Barossa Valley based brand, is owned by Treasury Wine Estates which definitely puts it in a good place when it comes to sourcing fruit. It shows in the burst of upfront fruit flavour on this wine rich in aromas of blackberry, plum, gentle spice with a splash of vanilla. This attention seeking start continues on the palate with an immediate impact of good, solid flavour before slowly receding towards a finish, firm in tannins. Mask the bottle and do a blind tasting. Pepperjack delivers flavour without high alcohols and while the richness and body might not be quite as cuddly as its full-strength sibling, it’s a well-made, suitable alternative at half the alcohol.