RICHARD SAYS
2024 Paralian Shiraz 14% McLaren Vale (Blewitt Springs), South Australia RRP $48
Shiraz isn’t always boring, monolithic, oaky, and hugely alcoholic demanding slabs of protein. Styles range from “trad” to “mod” depending on region and “house style.” Shiraz can be fragrant, approachable, complex, spice-laden and food-friendly – and it’s the same as “Syrah”!
Paralian’s creative winemaking team has heaps of experience, access to outstanding sites plus talent to manage the manoeuvre from grapes to bottled wine with assurance. From the renowned Blewitt Hills district, this wine starts with exciting crimson colours. It wows with blueberry, mulberry, violet, baking spices, minerals, and ferrous notes; the palate is dense but beautifully balanced; tannins are ultra-fine and embedded; the wine powers along leaving no guilt for youthful drinking. And it sure will improve when a few years tick by. Instant gold medal on my scorecard; instant drinking satisfaction too.
How? A mixed six-pack from the winery will provide pure joy. This Shiraz, that Grenache, an Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, and more – plus extensive wine show accolades and critics’ commendations. Punches way above Paralian’s tiny production, its meagre retail availability and pricing restrained for its lavish quality and drinking charm. Match with anything from a charcuterie board to full-on roasts. Just make the effort!
GRANT SAYS
Wynn’s ‘John Riddoch’ 13.5% Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 RRP $150
Wynn’s wines are about as synonymous with Coonawarra Cab Sav as you can get. Its vines planted by this bottle’s namesake way back in 1891, Wynn’s has pioneered the region and is very responsible for its worldwide popularity and style. I was lucky enough to taste this wine alongside a swath of outstanding premium (and super expensive) reds but this one was definitely the stand out. It has huge reviews across the board but its 98 point score in the Halliday Wine Companion is the deserved peak. The immediate aroma was that of identifiable blackcurrant jubes, upon second inspection subtle hits of cedary oak, pummelled mint, fresh leather, sweet liquorice, crushed berry fruits and whisps of eucalyptus tree. The palate presented with an amazing texture, a lovely balance of power and finesse, firm and structured tannins. The finish was incredibly long and veered into the realm of coffee grind, cacao powder and autumnal leaves. Six years in the bottle and it is only just hitting its strides. So much life, length, development and maturity left in this wine and I cannot wait to tackle more bottles over the years. Yes it’s a ‘special occasion’ wine, but it’s worth every penny.
Pair with: Rustic camp fired buttery toasted sandwich loaded with shavings of slow cooked lamb shanks and shallot, fresh creamy pea and mint puree, homemade potato chips in rosemary and a thick layer of spreadable goats cheese.
N – blackcurrant jubey life saver lollies, lashings of oak, pummelled mint, leather, sweet liquorice, lots of crushed berry fruits, eucalyptus tree
P – amazing texture, powerful yet restrained, lots of life left in it, firm tannin, great integration, coffee grind cacao powder on the very long finish, leafy finish too, incredible length
