This flagship wine from First Drop, The Cream Shiraz, certainly lives up to its name.
Drawn from the best barrels of their single vineyard parcels across Ebenezer (35%), Greenock (25%) and Seppeltsfield (40%), it's a rich, ripe and unapologetically old-school Barossa.
Mocha, coffee grounds and hazelnut open the account before a core of dense dark fruit and dark chocolate unfolds, wrapped in liquorice, cloves, cedar and a sweep of exotic spice. Despite the power and concentration, there's a surprisingly lacey quality that carries the wine with poise rather than weight alone. Twenty months in French oak (50% new and 50% one year old) adds polish without overshadowing the fruit. For lovers of generous Barossa Shiraz with a glossy sheen, this is an absolute beauty. Built for today if you must (be sure to decant), but with the structure and depth, it will reward 15 years+ in the cellar.
96/100
Region: Barossa
