Run Free by Singlefile Shiraz 2023

Great Southern is one of the largest and most isolated wine regions in the world. Covering over 39,000 square kilometres, a sub-brand titled ‘Run Free’ is seemingly apt and without sounding pompous, there is a rather fitting quote from Goethe – ‘one can be instructed in society, one is inspired only in solitude’. As the eldest female in a European family both unwed and childless I am all too familiar of society’s said instructions. Truth be told, I am somewhat envious of Singlefile’s geographic coordinates, for this solitude has seemingly inspired a range of varietals that breach the regional norm, and beautifully so. Crimson and ruby hued, there is a prettiness to this wine – an unconventionally restrained Shiraz. Combining raspberry, boiled sweets and musky plum with shoe polish, yellow mustard seed and pepper crusted bresaola. Fruit forward and juicy in style, a fingerprint of the wine’s youth, mulberry and blackberry to the fore, with layers of choc coated liquorice bullets, graphite and herbal sarsaparilla flavours. More apparent on the second day, is an appealing, creamy midpalate – braced by chalky tannins and a drying finish. Affable with a little mystique – for under $30 this pays dividends.