Shaw Wines Shiraz 2018

Yep, call me biased but I am yet to taste a bad ’18 vintage red from the district. The vintage was one of the warmest on record, with dry conditions throughout aside from a little rain in February to freshen up the vines. In general the red wines from the ‘17-’18 growing season show a lovely softness and depth across the board.

The 2018 Shaw Shiraz once again proves the point. Given the vintage conditions, it’s to be expected to see this wine at the bolder, more full bodied end of the spectrum for a Canberra District Shiraz. Having said that, there’s still some cool climate restraint here too. Dark brooding fruits, spice and savour, this is a big wine for the locals but in the company of shiraz from warmer regions, the Shaw Shiraz still gives away its cooler climate breeding. As winter weather closes in, I’d be drinking this with some sort of slow cooked ragout, something with plenty of rich full flavour to leave you satisfied and warm. Or perhaps, save it for after dinner and curl up near the fire with a glass and a good book. Either way, the Shaw ‘18 Shiraz is unlikely to disappoint.

Fergus McGhie

A native Canberran, Fergus is a wine fanatic who happily works in one of Australia’s finest small vineyards right in his own back yard. His fine dining restaurant training proved more useful and nearly more interesting than an arts degree at the ANU and a love of wine followed. Vintages as a cellar hand removed the mystique but didn’t quell the love. As a wine retailer, Fergus learned there is always another great wine around the corner and as a wine writer for The Canberra Times he learned that the stories behind the wines make them taste better. An occasional show judge and snowboarder, he has a guilty love of simple, uncomplicated wine, craft beers and a well-made Negroni.