The Lane Shiraz 2021

A lustrous crimson pool in the glass, that is accompanied by a sort of aromatic vortex. It draws you in. Despite being labelled Shiraz there is a semblance to its Syrah counterpart. An undeniable sophistication. Think cashmere sweater in lieu of a t-shirt with BALMAIN stretched across the chest. It is on the more savoury end of the spectrum – a medley of black and red currants, charcuterie, musky plum, salted licorice, with whiffs of sage and pine needles.

Writers experience writer’s block, wine consumers come across something similar – it’s that inability to verbalise a flavour that is quite literally ‘on the tip of your tongue’. To capture a descriptor is epiphanic and why I must commend the winery’s use of ‘agrodolce’. Admittedly I had to look to it up, but this “Italian sweet-and-sour sauce made with onions, garlic, red wine vinegar, sugar and raisins” summed up the wine’s complex flavour profile so perfectly that The Lane will make me redundant before Chat GPT! For what it’s worth, juicy acidity kept the wine bright, whilst redcurrants, boysenberry, sprigs of sage and caster sugar fine tannins showcased the Adelaide Hills debonair side.