2014 Spinifex Bete Noir Shiraz, Barossa Valley

The 2014 Bête is a blend from twelve vineyards located across a variety of Barossa's sub regions, with the Eastern Foothills, Moppa, Moculta, and the Eden Valley all contributing. Vineyard age ranges from between 25 and 130 years, with "60 years being a fair average across the blend," according to Pete Schell. It's a superb value, and certainly 'noir' in style, with layers of dark, spicy, inky, dark cherry and licorice strap fruit. The finish is deep, fresh and long, leaving a roasted Szechuan pepper note to linger for minutes after swallowing. 

Shiraz is mentioned in small handwriting on the back label, the use of phrase left to the imagination, but surely nothing to do with this wine with its spicy, savoury, essency, juicy dark fruit flavours that ask you back again and again as you taste it.

95 points James Halliday Wine Companion