Schild Narrow Road Shiraz Cabernet 2022

The squat bottle seems to be becoming more and more popular and we are seeing some seriously good wines in them, suggesting that anyone who thinks that this is simply a marketing venture is very far from the mark. This is a blend of 72% Shiraz and 28% Cabernet Sauvignon from a superb vintage in the Barossa Valley, specifically the Narrow Road Vineyard in the Rowland Flat sub-region. Maturation was in a range of different sized French barrels, some new, for eighteen to twenty-four months. Blended from 19 barrels, the wine is under cork. A gorgeous nose, generous and richly flavoured. Easy to see why wines like this are such crowd pleasers. There are notes of blackberries, mocha, cassis, chocolate, licorice, coffee beans and immaculately integrated oak. The palate is dominated by those black fruits. So much to love here, from the plush and exuberant texture, the silky tannins and fine balance to some serious length. For enjoying over the next ten to fifteen years.