2008 Geoff Merrill Henley Shiraz, McLaren Vale

One of the first to adopt a big, heavy bottle with silk screen printing. Matured for 35 months in French oak, bottled Aug '11, released Jun '17, 230 dozen made. All the components have come together in a savoury, earthy wine well into its secondary phase of development, but with unlimited ability to age gracefully.

95 points James Halliday winecompanion.com.au

There’s a real freshness to the aroma upon opening, which becomes more and more sophisticated with every minute in the glass. Black pepper, herbs, clove and stewed plums come forward, then they make way for the complex characters that only come with age. Dark soy, leather, chocolate and roast beef gravy. The palate is tight, fresh and sprightly. It shows spice, developed berry fruits, chocolate and savoury meats with hits of earth and coffee. There’s fresh, clean acidity on the finish giving the wine a youthful brightness that will live on for quite a few more years in the cellar.

Geoff Merrill