2021 Inigo Shiraz

This is just such a beautifully fragrant and deliciously appealing young Shiraz from what was a pretty good year in the Clare Valley. Shows the benefit of dialing back the alcohol, which doesn’t lose anything in fruit concentration and intensity, but allows it to present in a more stylish, elegant way. Bright high energy fruit throughout with a balanced integration of oak and tannin.

The fruit for this Clare Shiraz is sourced from six discrete blocks, including one originally planted back in 1910. The fruit goes into open fermenters, then is pressed to a combination of barrel and tank for malo, then to barrel (20% new French hogsheads) for three months. An attractive dark maroon hue here, the nose is exhibiting notes of chocolate and herbs. Evident that there is already a little complexity to the fore and we can expect more in the coming years. This is a rather broadly structured style, seamless, and with the flavours loaded upfront. The palate gives us notes of mushrooms and warm earth and the wine really lifts here supported by fine tannins and good length. An enjoyable Clare Shiraz which should drink well, and improve, over the next four to six years.