2019 Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz, Clare Valley

Matured for 12 months in French oak (20% new). Savoury, spicy and intense shiraz here, with emphasis on the savoury. This has layers of shaved hung deli meat, Amaro herbs, a hint of bacon fat, mulberries, blood plums, salted licorice and tapenade, too. The tannins are firm, promising a long life in front of it, although everything is already so nicely integrated, you could drink it tonight. You could, but you shouldn't – it'll evolve so nicely over the years to come.

96 points Erin Larkin winecompanion.com.au

In 1964 Jim Barry, and his wife Nancy, purchased 70 acres of prime farm land from their friend and neighbour, Duncan McRae Wood. On this special site they planted their first Shiraz vineyard.

The McRae Wood Shiraz is made from grapes declassified from The Armagh and blended with fruit from special parcels from the family’s other Clare Valley vineyards. 

Rich and intense, it was considered a modern and innovative style of wine, when it was first released in 1992. This wine displays lovely red and purple tones in the glass. Dark plums, spice and purple florals on the nose. The palate enters with black plum, black cherries with brambles and compote detailed with spice and elegance. A wine of refrained structure and integrated tannin, dark spice and black berries to finish.