2016 Warrabilla Reserve Shiraz

Despite this wines lofty 16.5% alcohol it has some cooler tones of graphite and black olive to it. Andrew Sutherland-Smith puts this down to his selection of oak – “Graphite and minerality I see in spades as well, and I put this down to the super premium AP Johns puncheons we use. There’s more of this in the “Missouri Select” which I want in the Durif (especially Parolas) but there’s still plenty in their “Shenandoah” which Penfolds use as their Grange barrel and for the 407 Cabernet. Our Shiraz is predominately Shenandoah.” It’s also loaded with pepper characters, something Andrew has seen during the ferments in the last few years but are largely lost by the time the wines bottled. With the installation of a new cross flow filter the pepperiness seems to have been preserved.

Magnificent inky black colour with a very deep dark red black hue. Pronounced aromas of ripe blackberries and liquorice intermix with hints of black olive and graphite followed by vanillin cedar and blackpepper. Big, rich and concentrated yet tightly knit by Warrabilla standards the palate is filled with rich blackberry and liquorice flavours that are infused with black olives, pepper and graphite. Underscoring these are subtle spicy vanillin cedar nuances. Excellent balance showing no signs of heat with vibrant fresh acidity and a robust tannin structure providing the framework. There’s a meaty opulence to the textural feel with a long peppery aftertaste of black cherries, liquorice, black olives, graphite and spicy vanillin cedar.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc 16.5%