2018 Yangarra Ironheart Shiraz, McLaren Vale

Squid-ink-purple colour, scents of plush boysenberry, balsamic flowers and coffee. A rush of flavour, sweet red and black cherries, bacon fat, dried herbs and vanilla bean cradled by a full-body with svelte tannins. Showcasing flavour concentration, depth, opulence and long persistence to finish. 01 Apr 2021 Drink 2021–2033

96 points Amanda Yallop, The Real Review #8 of 168 2018 Shiraz from McLaren Vale

In this warmer vintage than the previous one, the inherent power of Ironheart has returned. But it hasn't lost its elegance or flavor depth. Waves of heady aromas—first fresh blueberries and satsuma plums, then wildflowers, scrubby Aussie bush and roasting herb notes—fill the senses. The palate offers chiseled tannins that juxtapose crunchy fruit. Both polished and rustic, this wine is highly expressive of place and variety. Drink now with roast lamb or grilled vegetables, or cellar until 2040.

95 points Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast

Hand picked, mechanically sorted. Fermented with ambient yeast, 25% whole bunches. 16 days maceration. Matured for 9 months in 32% new French oak. The 25% whole bunches bring a briary complexity, while building a tannic bridge between the attack and mid palate. The tannins, grape and oak, serve as a long arc across blue/boysenberry, anise, clove and violet. Peppery and vibrant as much as it is plush and firm.

94 points Ned Goodwin MW winecompanion.com.au

Yangarra Estate Vineyard has become one of the defining estates of modern McLaren Vale, with longtime winemaker Peter Fraser building an extraordinary reputation from the elevated vineyards of Blewitt Springs. Ironheart is the estate’s flagship Shiraz, drawn from a rugged block planted on ancient ironstone-rich geology. Biodynamic farming, low yields and sensitive winemaking give this plenty of McLaren Vale muscle, but also the savoury detail and freshness that separate Ironheart from the crowd.

The 2018 vintage was warm and dry, producing Shiraz of impressive concentration and depth. Ironheart’s elevation and cooling breezes help temper that richness, while its ironstone gravels and sandy soils naturally restrict vine vigour. With eight years of bottle age behind it, the wine is moving beautifully into its secondary phase, with dark fruit now joined by leather, spice and earthy complexity.

Deep garnet with a dark crimson core, the nose opens with blackberry, black plum and dark cherry before revealing violet, cracked pepper and liquorice. With air come black olive, smoked meat, leather, cocoa and dried rosemary. The palate is powerful and broad but beautifully settled, with concentrated dark fruit wrapped in firm, polished tannins. Black pepper, olive tapenade and bitter chocolate build through the middle before a long, savoury finish of earth, spice and ironstone.

Let’s put some fire underneath dinner: cumin-crusted lamb ribs, Korean galbi, smoky beef brisket with burnt ends, charred eggplant with harissa and tahini or Sichuan pepper beef with chilli. Our pick is the galbi sweet, smoky, soy-glazed beef straight from the grill against mature Ironheart’s dark fruit and savoury grunt should cause extremely poor bottle-management decisions.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2038.