2018 Gibson Australian Old Vine Shiraz, Eden Valley

A wonderfully composed Eden Valley shiraz from the folks at Gibson. Satsuma plum, red cherry and blackberry fruits of impressive grace and ripeness are cut with fruitcake spice, licorice, sage, dark chocolate, violets and earth. Smooth and velvety on the palate with great flow and presence, melt-in-the-mouth tannins and a finish that shows bright acidity and lingers persistently with pure black fruits, spice and cedar.

95 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

The Gibson Australian Old Vintage Collection Shiraz from Eden Valley is a rare release that showcases both the longevity of Shiraz and Rob Gibson’s deep expertise in viticulture and winemaking. Known affectionately as “The Dirtman” for his background in soil science, Rob Gibson established Gibson Wines with a vision to craft wines that not only speak of site but also demonstrate how truly great Australian Shiraz can evolve with age. The Old Vintage Collection is drawn from carefully cellared museum stock, released in limited quantities only when the wines have matured into their peak drinking window.

Eden Valley provides a cooler, higher-altitude contrast to the neighbouring Barossa Valley. Its leaner soils, cooler nights and longer ripening season give Shiraz a more aromatic, structured and elegant profile. The fruit for the Old Vintage Collection comes from old-vine blocks that yield low crops but concentrated berries with exceptional ageing potential. These wines are matured in a mix of French and American oak before being tucked away in Gibson’s cellars, where time does its transformative work.

In the glass, the wine shows deep garnet with a brick-red rim, a sign of graceful age. The bouquet is layered and complex, with notes of blackberry and dark plum evolving into leather, tobacco, cedar, dried herbs and earth. Subtle hints of dark chocolate, spice and forest floor add intrigue. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with softened tannins, a supple texture and savoury depth. The fruit still hums beneath the surface, but secondary and tertiary characters now take centre stage, giving the wine remarkable length and harmony.

Food pairings celebrate its maturity and savoury elegance: slow-braised beef cheeks, roast lamb with garlic and rosemary, venison with juniper, or mushroom and truffle risotto. Aged cheeses such as Comté or clothbound cheddar are also excellent companions. These museum-release wines are fully mature on release but can hold gracefully for another 5 to 10 years, offering a rare opportunity to taste aged Australian Shiraz direct from the winery’s cellars.