Schubert Estate Goose-Yard Block Shiraz 2018

There are some interesting figures attached to this Shiraz which help explain its style: 24 months barrel fermentation, 15.5% alcohol. In other words, it’s a big ‘un. On those figures alone, you might be intimidated. In the glass, it’s a slightly different story. Deep, impenetrable inky hues and an equally impressive level of woodsmoke aromas greet the drinker matched to plum, fruitcake, black fruits, chocolate, dried fruits and a world of inviting dark, toasted spices and sweet-smelling earth. With ultra-ripe fruit and oak present, there is no shortage of flavour and it’s carried well courtesy of a smooth and focused tannin presence. So, yes, it’s a big ‘un but it is delivered with typical Barossan warmth and gemütlichkeit.

Jeni Port

Wine critic at Winepilot

Jeni Port is one of Australia’s top wine communicators. Based in Melbourne, Jeni created the first wine column in the (then) Sun News-Pictorial before moving over to The Age and becoming that paper’s longest-serving wine writer. Over the years she has written for most Australian wine magazines and these days calls WinePilot home. She is also a Tasting Panel member on the Halliday Wine Companion. She was named Wine Communicator of the Year and Legend of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in 2014 and in 2018 Legend of the Vine. She is a founding board member of Australian Women In Wine and is the co-deputy chair of Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards and China’s Wine List of the Year Awards.

Wine writer and critic