2024 Nicks Secret UC Shiraz

From one of McLaren Vale’s top wineries, this is a blend of three different vineyards with maturation taking place in new and seasoned French oak hogsheads for a period of 20 months.

A big name Mclaren Vale Shiraz with big scores to boot that delivers astonishing value.

Dense pitch black heart with a very deep dark red black hue. Sailing from the glass with admirable intensity are scents of liquorice, blackberry and black cherry trailed by some vanillin cedar, subtle scorched earth, whiffs of dark chocolate and peppered fennel notes. Rich, full bodied and plush, the sumptuous palate is layered with opulent liquorice, black cherry and blackberry fruits. Fantastic concentration and depth for the price with spicy vanillin cedar, flashes of dark chocolate, fennel and peppered earth elements the undercard. Velvet smooth tannins with a long, seductive, blackpepper laced finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
The team source the fruit used here from three different McLaren Vale vineyards – the Lower Tintara Vineyard, originally planted by Thomas Hardy in the 1880s (it is located on the well-known Kays Road), although this block was planted only two decades ago; the Picnic Grounds Vineyard, which is adjacent to Lower Tintara (it was originally owned by Thomas Hardy); and the Price Vineyard, located at what the team call the gate to McLaren Vale. Each batch was processed discretely, and blending took place just before bottling, after barrel selection. Maturation was for twenty months in new and older French oak hogsheads. Black blood red with a dark purple rim, this is generous and approachable and really does have a good future ahead of it. Finally balanced with aromas of chocolate, root vegetables, bay leaves, mocha, dried herbs, blackberries and tobacco leaves. There is a dense creamy texture through to satiny tannins and seriously impressive length. Delicious now and should remain so for the next fifteen years. In a portfolio with some really good examples of McLaren Vale Shiraz, I’m not sure this one should stand out quite as much as it does, but who’s complaining. Astonishing value. Drink 2026-2041.
96 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com

Deep inky-purple with a vibrant crimson rim. The nose is dark, seductive and intense a wild rush of blackberry, boysenberry and ripe plum laced with cracked pepper, liquorice, dark chocolate and savoury spice.
On the palate this is a powerhouse. Explosive dark fruit hits hard, then layers of mocha, smoked meat and chewy tannins take over, delivering serious grip and attitude. It’s bold, concentrated and unapologetically McLaren Vale rich, rustic and full of soul.
A gutsy, no-holds-barred Shiraz with real underground swagger.
95 Points
Vino Masters