2024 Tomfoolery Black & Blue Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Ben Chipman is the winemaking talent behind Tomfoolery. Mentored by some of Barossa's most respected names before venturing out on his own project, he built his own the winery in 2014 on the homestead he and his wife Sarah had purchased on the eastern slopes of the Barossa a couple of years earlier.

The Black & Blue is sourced from a single premium vineyard in the Ebenezer subregion in northern Barossa Valley. The site is farmed by fifth-generation grower Adrian Hoffmann, on soils of sandy loam over heavy red clay: free draining but with capacity to hold onto deep moisture to keep the vines happy in Barossa's dry summers.

Consistent with Tomfoolery's house approach, the fruit is hand-picked and open fermented in small batches, basket pressed and matured in seasoned French oak with no fining or filtration.

The 2024 is a full-bodied, generous Barossa Shiraz, and in Ben’s word’s, a stunner. Dark plum, blackberry and liquorice on the nose, with hints of baking spice and a subtle earthiness. The palate is rich and layered, with ripe fruit, firm tannins and a fresh acidity on the finish that prevents it from feeling heavy.

Plenty here to warrant cellaring but could be opened now and given a bit of air, then enjoyed with some nice smoked or braised beef short ribs.