2022 Arila Gardens Old Vine Shiraz Grenache, Barossa Valley

Meticulously composed and expressed, the wine shows dark berry, potpourri, toasted spice and cedar characters on the nose. The palate exhibits outstanding weight and concentration, beautifully framed by fleshy texture and layers of silky tannins. Powerful yet refined with terrific complexity, finishing superbly long and gracious. At its best: now to 2040.

97 points Sam Kim, Wine Orbit 

A barrel selection and a new release for Arila; a 1940s-planted shiraz and the 1900 grenache; 100% new French oak for 14 months. Fun fact: The old-timers over Moppa way pronounce it 'Greee-nash'. I've always loved that. Bright magenta/purple. It's a wine that seems very comfortable in its own skin. Pure plum, blueberry and mulberry fruit tones, layers of baking spice, citrus blossom top notes, those trademark fine tannins and a morello cherry twang to the acid profile. It's an impressive debut and recently picked up the gong for the shiraz blends at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.

96 points Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion May 2024  

Arila Gardens is based in the Moppa district of the northern Barossa, where John and Alicia Edwards have built their estate around small parcels and old vines rather than sheer scale. The Old Vine Shiraz Grenache taps into one of the Barossa’s most natural partnerships, with Shiraz supplying darker fruit and structure while Grenache loosens everything up with fragrance, red fruit and spice.

The 2022 season was relatively mild by Barossa standards, allowing the fruit to ripen steadily while retaining freshness. Old vines add concentration without necessarily adding weight, and that distinction matters here. Shiraz gives blackberry, pepper and savoury muscle, while Grenache introduces raspberry, florals and a more supple feel. The result has plenty of Barossa flavour but avoids becoming thick or overly sweet.

Deep ruby crimson, the bouquet moves from blackberry and dark cherry into wild raspberry and red plum, followed by violet, fennel seed and cracked pepper. Liquorice, black olive, dried rosemary and a touch of smoked meat add darker detail. The palate is generous and juicy, with Grenache giving lift to the deeper Shiraz fruit. Fine, grainy tannins provide shape before raspberry, pepper and liquorice run into a long, savoury finish.

Lamb kofta with sumac and yoghurt would be excellent, alongside char siu pork, smoky eggplant with harissa, merguez with couscous or sticky Korean beef ribs. Our pick is the char siu. Caramelised pork, five spice and smoky edges against Grenache’s raspberry and Shiraz’s darker peppery fruit is a cracking combination.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2036.