2009 Mitchell McNicol Shiraz, Clare Valley

Hailing from low yielding, dry grown vines across a warm vintage, this full-bodied shiraz is classic Clare with its trademark scent of peppermint paddy after-dinner mint. Dark cherry and plum arm wrestle with some sturdy, dusty tannins; bitter chocolate and coffee grind mingle on the finish. The wine spent 2 years in larger format French oak which, in lieu of the substantial grape tannins, was a wise decision. The finish is chunky, yet vinous and far from drying.

Ned Goodwin MW winecompanion.com.au