Scarborough Keepers of the Flame Vineyard Selection Shiraz 2023 

Restrained and poised from the outset. This is packed with bloody, iodine-like minerality, plum conserve, black pepper, black cherry, game and grilled meats. It’s the iodine-mineral note that brings the moreishness. The oak feels pared back here; it’s more about even, elegant fruit and mineral lift, with good savoury complexity in support. The palate is defined by lifted, concentrated fruit with lovely savoury shading — blood plum, dark cherry, black pepper, subtle leather and bloody meat. The tannins are firm and tight, adding shape, and there’s a good push of acidity through the finish that drives this to an intense and very long length. A very classy release.