Dark cherries, blackberries and dark chocolate immediately bring a Cherry Ripe vibe, setting up a generous, fruit-driven expression with plenty of Barossa swagger. Char and charred steak add a savoury edge, while baked raspberries and red currants bring some brightness through the core. There's a gentle cedar and vanilla note in the background, a nod to its time in oak. The palate gathers itself towards the close, tightening with a firm flicker of black pepper that adds structure and keeps the richer fruit in check. It's generous without becoming clumsy, savoury without losing its fruit appeal and, at $25, delivers an impressive amount of Barossa character for the money. Great buying and exactly the sort of Shiraz I'd happily throw on the table with a steak.
92/100
Region: Barossa
