2024 Tim Smith Bugalugs Shiraz, Barossa Valley

A deep, inky purple with viscous legs that show the wine's concentration, with aromas of cedar, milk chocolate and vanilla oak over blackberry and black cherry aromas and a touch of clove spice. The palate is generous, showing ripe fruit, big alcohol and a long, firmly tannic finish. Straightforward and with broad appeal. Drink 2025–2035.

92 points Melissa Moore for The Real Review, November 2025

A textural, dense and flavorful white blend of grenache gris, roussanne and grenache blanc. It has notes of pears, apples and mild spices on the nose. Medium-bodied with moderate acidity. Fresh and floral with an agile mid-palate. Lifted and in control, with a succulent finish. Drink now.

92 points James Suckling, March 2025

Tim sorts his Barossa Shiraz barrels each year based on the character they are showing, and selects fresh early ejoyment ones for Bugalugs. The use of older American and French oak keeps the style fresh and fruit-forward.

The 2024 was a cooler, later vintage which has given the wine a particularly aromatic and vibrant character. More old vine parcels were included in this vintage's blend than usual, which adds a quiet complexity beneath the immediate fruit appeal.

Deep ruby, the nose shows dark berries, mulberry and blueberry with background vanilla and cedar from the old oak. The palate is medium-bodied and supple with savoury fruit, good layering and fine talc-like tannins on a clean finish.

The kind of wine that consistently over-delivers for its price and suits almost any occasion. Put some steaks on your BBQ and enjoy with good friends.

Drink now through 2028.