NIRVANA RESERVE SHIRAZ, 2020

Appearance: Blackest dark red

Nose: Best when given some air, the aromatics of this wine build with time in the glass. Initial hits of pretty, spiced oak give way to dense plum fruit and anise with a briar edge. Forest berries are peeking out from behind that hedge of lovely oak spice and will develop further as the wine gets used to being in bottle

Palate: Indulged with 36 months maturation in oak, the powerful nature of this release is yet to be fully tamed. Time will bring great rewards although we are already seeing a restrained elegance in what is actually a very rich, brooding wine

A rich creaminess sits up front and that briar, spice and darkest berries continue in-line in the palate. Nothing prickly about the tannin structure though; they have benefited from being afforded extra time in oak and sit like gentle grape dust in the mouth.

There is great weight to this baby – leaving lingering spiced plum fruit and gentle savoury notes on the finish.

Food Pairing: Serve well aired with aged beef fillet or a sharp matured cheddar – this is a big wine, deserving of the best but should ideally be cracked after few more years in the bottle. (8-10 years recommended)

Country: Clare Valley, Australia

Grape Variety: Shiraz

ABV: 14.6%