“With plenty of wines to taste each week between visits to vineyards and tastings with winemakers, there’s a multitude of great wines to keep on top of. This report is full of individual triumphs—great wines from great producers—the highlights of which were undoubtedly a new-release Shiraz from Barossa, which was in all its full-bodied glory deeply impressive.” – EL
2021 INVENIENDA – 97 Points
Sur Echalas Seppeltsfield Barossa Valley Shiraz
“The 2021 Invenienda (Latin: to be discovered) is sourced from the Holy Grail vineyard in Seppeltfield, with 1.2 acres of vines “on echalas,” or vertical stake trellising, à la Northern Rhône. From this small block, they make Invenienda. The fruit was fermented in a bespoke timber fermenter with a closed lid for 10 weeks prior to maturing in French oak for 16 months. On the nose, it is steeped in dark purple and red berries, exotic spices (primarily star anise and clove), roasted meat and sweet roasted beets. In the mouth, the cocoa tannins are very fine and yet pervasive, contributing to the powerfully thick mouthfeel of the wine. Everything is dialed up in concentration here, and the length trails out long through the finish. It’s a big, powerful wine that encompasses the potential of intensity that is inherent in the ancient soils of the Barossa. 14.8% alcohol, sealed under Diam and wax.” – EL Drink Date: 2025 – 2031
2021 SPIRIT OF PLACE – 96 POINTS
Barossa Valley Shiraz
“The 2021 Spirit of Place Shiraz hails from 103-year-old vines in the Barossa Valley. Aromatically, it leads with masses of black berry fruit, cherry, licorice, dark chocolate and star anise. In the mouth, the wine is inky and thick, the tannins embedded so deeply into the fruit that it is a challenge to determine where they start and finish. It is undeniably excellent, with black, silty tannins that settle, rather the inhibit. This comes from Ebenezer in Barossa, planted in 1918. It’s an astounding wine. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam and wax.″ – EL Drink Date: 2025 – 2041
THE PICTURE SERIES
2023 ANGELS’ SHARE – 91 POINTS
McLaren Vale Shiraz
“The 2023 Angel’s Share Shiraz is silky and spicy, with an unbroken flow of black and purple fruit, licorice and exotic spices. The wine has a lighter frame than previous years, yet it remains full of flavor and attractive tannic texture. 14.2% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.” – EL Drink Date: 2025 – 2033
2023 SEXY BEAST – 90 POINTS
McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon
“The 2023 Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon is leafy and green on the nose, with cassis, tobacco, caper brine and tapenade. The palate is shaped by firm tannins that are a little sticky through the middle palate and finish, although they provide absolutely the right shape and feel. Classic McLaren Vale purple fruits and exotic spice mark its origins. 13.8% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.” – EL Drink Date: 2025 – 2033
2023 GNARLY DUDES – 90 POINTS
Barossa Valley Shiraz
“The 2023 Gnarly Dudes Shiraz hails from a cool and wet season in South Australia, and yet the wine exudes the usual black fruit, licorice, dark chocolate and dried herbs. The season has perhaps robbed the wine of some of its concentration and persistent thrust of flavor, yet it is all toned down in unison, retaining balance in the end. Drink it before some of the other years around it, and make the most of the freshness of fruit. it is lovely. 14.2% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.” – EL Drink Date: 2025 – 2033
