2024 E.J. McDougall Old Vine Shiraz, McLaren Vale

The 2024 Old Vine Shiraz hails from two old blocks planted on own roots—one planted in 1939 and the other planted in 1942. The wine leads with mulberry compote and cracked timut pepper (pink grapefruit, black tea, sage, resin). This is delicate and fresh, simple/singular, dark-fruited and exotic. There's vibrancy here that lifts up above the density of fruit, and the tannins, while profuse, speak more of asphalt and graphite (i.e., finely wrought) than drying or powerful/overbearing. This is an excellent, modern, sophisticated example of Australian Shiraz that is framed and shaped by the inherently exotic and spicy overtones that come as part and parcel of McLaren Vale. The wine was made with 25% whole bunches, fermented in concrete (about a week or slightly more to assist in further polymerizing the tannins), with submerged cap at the end. It was basket-pressed to foudre and had an élevage of 10 months, followed by 14 months in bottle prior to release. Drink to 2039.

97 points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, April 2026

From a 1939-planted vineyard in Blewitt Springs on sandy soils over red clay, with partial whole bunch, then 11 months in seasoned French foudre. Northern Rhône echoes in terms of style, yet with integral Vale DNA; this is substantially spicy, layered and detailed. A heady lift of dark spice, roasted coffee, smoky notes, green cardamom, alpine herbs, lilac and lavender, blackberry essence, pickled black cherries, moist tobacco, loose black tea, a rockiness, and all in a savoury, medium-weighted tenor. Tannins are finely etched, proper, the balance en pointe, the length substantial. Excellent. Drink to 2036.

96+ points Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion, June 2026

Good depth of colour with a tint of purple in the rim; sweet blackberry conserve and sage among the dried herb nuances, the palate deliciously sweet at the core with plenty of fine-grained, powdery tannins in good balance with the volume of flavour. A big cuddly wine with stacks of feel-good flavour and already very accessible. Drink to 2042.

95 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review, May 2026

E.J. McDougall is the Australian negociant project of flying winemaker Edward McDonnell. He has been making wine for numerous labels and vineyards for more than two decades across Australia, New Zealand, Italy and France. For this project, he is joined by Rutherglen-born winemaker Lilian Carter whose own wine experience spans France, South Africa, China and New Zealand.