2023 Greenock Creek Seven Acre Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Single-vineyard, Seppeltsfield-born shiraz off bluestone soils, matured for 18 months in French oak, 25% new. Beautifully pure blueberry, boysenberry and plum fruits cut with baking spices, Christmas cake, citrus blossom, fruit-and-nut chocolate, vanillin oak, pan juices and olive tapenade. There's the tang of something ferrous on the palate and that blue fruit is heady and pure. This has fine-grained tannins and a sense of freshness as the wine slowly retreats.

95 points Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion

Seven Acre sits firmly in the heart of the Greenock Creek story, an estate founded by Michael and Annabelle Waugh in the 1980s and subsequently elevated to cult status among Barossa collectors. The philosophy has always centred on small vineyard parcels, low yields and wines that speak loudly of their site. Seven Acre is one of the estate’s most distinctive Shiraz expressions, combining classic Barossa generosity with plenty of earthy, savoury personality.

The cooler, later 2023 season is particularly interesting for a vineyard capable of producing substantial Shiraz. A longer ripening period has given the fruit time to develop without sacrificing freshness, bringing a little more definition and aromatic lift to the naturally rich Greenock Creek style. It remains unmistakably Barossa, just with the volume turned down a notch.

Dense crimson purple, with blackberry, black cherry and ripe plum leading the nose. Violet and liquorice follow, joined by cracked pepper, black olive, espresso and a touch of woodsmoke. It is rich and concentrated in the mouth, but there is freshness underneath the dark fruit. Firm, ripe tannins frame blackberry and plum, while cocoa, olive and pepper provide a savoury counterpoint through the long, powerful finish.

Slow cooked beef brisket with black pepper and star anise would handle this beautifully. Charred lamb ribs with rosemary, Korean beef short ribs, smoky eggplant with tahini or a proper steak sandwich with caramelised onions would also earn their place. Our pick is the brisket, preferably with enough left over for round two the following day.

Cellaring: Drink from 2027 to 2042.