Winemaker Matt Eades is a cool dude. An opening batter back in the day, he used to play A Grade cricket in Sydney facing the likes of Brett Lee. No doubt he'd often be on the front foot to navigate that freight train, this Black Label Shiraz is front palate focused too.
Eades is good on the chat too. His relaxed, no-fuss demeanour and fabulous storytelling ability would make it an enjoyable day standing beside him in the slip cordon. We opted for a charcuterie board in the vineyard and a few glasses over lunch instead.
This Shiraz is grown 640 metres above and sees twelve months in oak (15% new). A little more time will help it mesh together. Highlighted by raspberries and cranberries, red fruits drive this Shiraz. Quite spicy, it's a little lean and doesn't have the depth of others in the district. Fine ribbons of milk chocolate move about with ease. Another couple of years in bottle should do the trick.
Drink to five years+
90/100
Region: Orange