2015 Flametree Shiraz, Margaret River

Wild-fermented in batches in open and static fermenters, plunged and/or pumped over twice daily, select parcels with whole bunches, matured for 10 months in French oak. A complex, full-bodied shiraz with black cherry, plum, licorice and spices all well and truly in play. The texture and structure of the wine are built around ripe, fine tannins. A long life ahead.

96 points James Halliday winecompanion.com.au Special Value

The stalks and lees contact have given the wine a nice savoury edge and added some complexity. The palate has plenty of dark fruits, beef stock, vegemite notes and spicy oak flavours. Aged in tight grained French oak barrels for twelve months, this wine will benefit from cellaring. A northern Rhone look alike.

Lifted blueberry, plums, liquorice and spice combine to create a soft fruit driven Shiraz style. The colour and perfume are testament to a fantastic Shiraz vintage. Soft extraction techniques using open fermenters have resulted in a wine with ripe fruit flavours and fine tannin structure. The palate has plenty of sweet dark fruits and spicy oak flavours. The introduction of a larger percentage of wild fermented batches has given the wine greater complexity and texture. The 2015 Shiraz was aged in older oak to preserve fruit flavours.