2014 Shaw & Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz

Fermented predominately (70%) as whole bunches. Totally opaque dark red black colour with a bright dark red hue. Showing good perfumed lift the nose offers up aromas of spicy dark plums and liquorice infused with dried clove and smoky vanillin cedar followed by peppery dried meat end notes. Medium to full bodied the generous ripe plum and liquorice flavours are overlaid by dried cloves and smoky vanillin cedar with spicy dried meats and blackpepper following up the rear. The tannins are fine grained but at the same time also quite robust in structure. Excellent richness and concentration with the pepper and dried clove infused fruit giving the wine a savoury character. Long aftertaste of spicy dark plum, dried clove, liquorice, smoky vanillin cedar, dried meats and pepper.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc 14.5%

Other Reviews….
A cooler 2014 vintage has sent this into peppery, stony and spicy mode. Indeed, it's really complex and nicely layered, especially in terms of the aromatics where wild red plums meet blackberries, and the oak is nicely integrated too. The palate has impressive finesse and finely detailed tannin texture. There's some spark to it, just as peppery cherries, raspberries and blackberries hold fresh and lively. A wine that speaks of purity and place, and one that's pared back and focused. Drink now to 2025+.
96 points
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