2020 Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards HJ Shiraz

First produced in the year 2000, this is the nineteenth release of Oliver’s HJ Shiraz. Fruit is sourced from the very best parcels of fruit on the Old Block vineyard planted in 1948 by HJ Oliver. Maturation took place in French oak (35% new) for a period of 18 months.
Impenetrable inky black core with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Heady aromas of ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark plum engulf the nostrils followed by some dark chocolate, vanillin oak and earthy mocha notes. Rich and opulently textured the full bodied palate is a super concentrate of lavish blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits which are married to dark chocolate, spicy vanillin oak and earthy mocha elements. Outstanding power and volume with good underlying freshness. Polished yet sturdy tannins provide ample structure to the long decadent choc coated conclusion.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews....
Open-fermented under the aegis of ambient yeast before malo in barrel, sulfuring and time in bottle before release. Typical warm-climate shiraz. Chocolaty, meaty and rich, with abundant fruitcake spice, dark-fruit allusions and oak. The tannins are well hewn for compression and focus. Uncanny levels of freshness. Plenty to like here. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
93 Points
Ned Goodwin MW - JamesSuckling.com

This McLaren vale Shiraz comes from an old block planted in 1974 with the Reynella clone. It follows a similar winemaking approach to the Grenache with open fermentation and no additions of acid, tannin or sulphur following indigenous yeast fermentation. The extra richness and weight has enabled a small amount of new oak influence which brings a nice lift and energy to the palate. So fine and smoothly balanced with a strong sense of tasting the vineyard here. Drink 2022-2034.
96 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com