The Everest Shiraz 2019

Immensely complex and enticing, the wine is packed with blackberry, violet, vanillin oak, warm spice and smoked game characters with a light dusting of dark cocoa on the nose. The gorgeously refined palate delivers outstanding depth and velvety mouthfeel, wonderfully framed by beautifully infused tannins. Multi-layered and opulent with plush texture, this is compelling and gratifying. At its best: 2025 to 2049.

Only 785 bottles of this stunning Barossa Shiraz were made. Treat yourself! Not surprisingly, ‘The Everest’ reflects the pinnacle of everything this iconic Barossa producer can offer. From selected vineyards, with ancient vines, the grapes spend ten days on skins before they are transferred to small open fermenters. Hand plunging, gentle basket pressing and maturation in French oak for 18 months and then unfined and unfiltered. Opaque purple, the nose is a wonderful mix of roast meats, mocha, cigar box hints, black fruits, some notes very reminiscent of the very best Rhône reds, cassis, cloves, leather and cocoa powder. This is big, bold and ripe with serious length, finishing with slippery though ever-so-slightly chalky tannins. The cassis dominates on the palate and there is a line of fine acidity running the length. Richly flavoured, this is just delicious. Great now, even better in three to four years, and certain to drink superbly for at least the next 15 to 20 years. This will do me.

The flagship shiraz from Château Tanunda; aged 18 months in French oak. Deep crimson in colour with unctuous blackberry, black cherry and plum fruits cut with hints of baking spices, panforte, dark chocolate, vanillin oak, blackberry jam, clove, cedar and charcuterie. Full bodied and structured with chocolatey tannins, a vivid acid cadence and layers of elegant black fruits finishing long with a savoury, graceful air.

The 2019 The Everest Shiraz was sourced from low-yielding old vines, fermented in small open-top fermenters for 10 days and hand-plunged. It was then basket-pressed to barrel and matured for 18 months in French oak. This is so aromatic on the nose, with raspberry, dusty licorice, dried star anise, vanilla pod and black berries. In the mouth, the wine echoes the nose, but it has an undercurrent of blueberries and is framed by firm but fine tannins. A lovely wine here, graceful and yet fi rm. 785 bottles were produced, 14.9% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.

The name might suggest a pinnacle has been reached for Château Tanunda, at least in terms of its Shiraz. The heavy, deep-punted Burgundy bottle reinforces the idea, as does the price tag. The boldness of personality seals it. This is what many drinkers would accept as the epitome of Barossa Shiraz: a combination of old vines, long hang time on the vine, a low yielding/high quality vintage and irresistibly rich, dense flavours. And it delivers just that. Tilting on the monumental it launches into a world of woodsy spiciness, vanillin and smoky, splashed liberally over generous black berries, stewed plums, chocolate, raisin, dried fruit notes, pepper and mint. High-ish alcohol is present as is lingering woodsy oak, firm tannins and a long finish. Shiraz is turned up to 11, but it arrives in the glass with complete confidence and an ability to age further and expand.

Intense nose of baked black plums, chocolate, vanilla and barbecued meat. It’s full-bodied and full of plush, chocolatey black fruit. Ripe and velvety tannins. Long and bold shiraz. 785 bottles produced. Drink now or hold.

Deep, rich red with a good rim of purple and a gumleaf/mint and angelica accent to the blackberry jam aromas, while the palate is big and rich, superripe and rounded, with abundant fruit sweetness, alcohol and glycerol. The tannins are ample and powdery [...] A big, raunchy red that many will delight in. 2023-2035