Chateau De Campuget 1753 Syrah 2015 France

Tim Smith Bugalugs Shiraz 2019. This features aromas of blue and black fruit, a hint of spice and a slippery, glossy palate packed with flavour. It’s Barossa to its core. But there’s freshness here too, a cherry pip acidity and some peppery, earthy characters through the finish.

Yelland & Papps Shiraz 2016. Dark cherry-red in colour with vibrant fruit aromas of dark plum, macerated summer berry fruits along with higher tones of raspberry and redcurrant. Here are hints of deep exotic spice, Barossa earth, roasting meats, licorice, violets and gentle nutty French Oak nuances.

Medium-bodied on the palate with a lovely bright line across the palate and a sense of space to the mouthfeel. Once more the fruit flavours are of dark and black-fruits; dark plum, blackberry, mulberry with some blueberry and raspberry notes adding lift to the wine on the palate. Plenty of spicy notes, meaty nuances, floral lift and earthy tones mesh together on the palate. The finish lingers persistently and is pure and juicy with the fruit coming to the fore, gentle sandy tannins providing support and a bright line of acidity providing the drive. Elegant, delicious drinking from the excellent 2016 vintage.

Winemaker Ben Glaetzer continues to fashion big, bold Barossa Valley Shiraz. The 2015 Amon Ra Shiraz is another in a long line of muscular wines that manage to offer complexity, power and a surprising degree of elegance. Charred beef, black olives and espresso notes meet blackberries and cassis on the nose and palate, delivering near-tidal waves of flavor and personality. Fullbodied, intense and velvety, it should age well for at least a decade, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it still drinking well past 2030.