2021 Sidewood Estate Shiraz, Adelaide Hills

Individual parcels left for an extended maceration on skins, wild-yeast fermented in French barrels, matured for 15 months before final blending. The bouquet is expressive and multifaceted, with pepper, licorice and spice decorating the black fruits, dark chocolate and earth on the medium-bodied palate. Its balance is flawless. Exceptional value.

96 points Special Value James Halliday winecompanion.com.au

Sidewood Estate Shiraz from the Adelaide Hills is a vibrant, cool-climate expression of this classic variety, offering a beautifully poised balance of fruit intensity, spice and finesse. Grown in the elevated vineyards around Hahndorf, this Shiraz reflects the cooler conditions of the Hills, resulting in a wine that is more elegant and aromatic than many of its South Australian counterparts.

Winemaker Damien Horan focuses on purity and precision. The fruit is hand-picked and fermented in small batches with a portion of whole berries to enhance aromatic lift and texture. The wine is matured in a mix of new and seasoned French oak barriques, adding depth and savoury complexity without overwhelming the bright fruit profile.

In the glass, Sidewood Shiraz shows perfumed aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, black pepper, violet and subtle oak spice. The palate is medium to full-bodied with fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity and layers of plum, licorice, mocha and earthy spice. There’s a lovely sense of restraint here — richness without heaviness, power with polish.

It pairs beautifully with slow-roasted lamb, duck breast with cherry glaze or grilled eggplant with miso. This Shiraz drinks well now but has the structure to age gracefully for 8 to 10 years.