2022 Mike Press Single Vineyard Shiraz, Adelaide Hills

The Mike Press Single Vineyard Shiraz from the Adelaide Hills is a testament to incredible value and cool-climate craftsmanship. Mike Press, a seasoned winemaker with decades of experience at giants like Penfolds and Seppelt, planted his own vineyard in the Kenton Valley in the late 1990s. What began as a quiet retirement project quickly earned cult status for delivering seriously good wine at remarkably honest prices.

This Shiraz is grown at altitude, where cooler conditions encourage longer ripening, developing fruit intensity without excess weight. The result is a beautifully balanced wine that offers ripe blackberry and plum notes laced with pepper, dark chocolate and just a touch of mint. There’s a purity and brightness here that sets it apart from richer Barossa styles, with elegant tannins and a backbone of refreshing acidity that makes it very food-friendly.

The wine is matured in French oak, adding gentle spice and structure without overwhelming the fruit. It’s approachable on release but has enough grip and depth to reward short-term cellaring.

Food pairing: roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic, grilled portobello mushrooms, or aged cheddar.

Cellar potential: drink now or cellar for up to 5 to 7 years for extra complexity.