A wise man once said “I like it, I like it a lot”, and that’s exactly how I feel about the

 Brothers Shiraz, named after Malcolm and Colin Campbell, the top-shelf drop from the Rutherglen producers. What’s not to like…  big blackberry fruit flavours, subtle hints of vanilla, savoury, almost leatheriness going on that’s well balanced by the tannin and acidity. No shrinking violet here! It’s certainly at home in glass, or the cellar.

 A wise man once said “I like it, I like it a lot”, and

The longer this lockdown goes on the better these look… 😬🍷

Woodlands “Russell” Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 is a masterpiece from West Australia. The colour sets the scene. Impenetrable with a dark, black red core and dark red rim. Aromas of ripe blackcurrant and liquorice send your tastebuds into overdrive. There’s a vanilla characteristic, perhaps imparted from the 19 month stay in medium toasted French oak barrels, which passes to reveal earthy spice flavours. On the palate the class continues as the generous tannins support the wine through to the finish of classic blackcurrant and mulberry goodness. This is a superb wine now, and will only get better with age.⁣ 🍇

 Woodlands “Russell” Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 is a

Beautiful, back and front. It’s hard to find a better “package” out there in my opinion. Year on year, they get prettier and prettier! Can’t wait to see what’s install for the next release. For now though, these will do VERY nicely! ⠀

 Beautiful, back and front. It’s hard to find a better

If you’re a fan of Temprenillo then get your chops around this. From the Strathbogie Ranges near Bonnie Doon, ah the serenity,

 produce this Tempranillo and a Reserve. Firstly, this is a beaut of a wine. Ruby and garnet in colour, complex brambly, pomegranate and earthy aromas with hints of mushrooms... interesting. The Zalto captures it so well, smell, sip, wait, repeat and it evolves each time. The palate has powdery tannin, pomegranate again, spices and plums, with sherry notes adding complexity. It intrigues brilliantly. Can’t wait to try the reserve!

 If you’re a fan of Temprenillo then get your chops around

If you ever ask yourself, should I try Rutherglen Syrah? The answer is yes, end of, and this example by

 is a standout. It’s elegant, interesting and bold. Very balanced. In a word effortless. Gorgeous dark berry flavours, violets and hints of florals there to add lift. It’s bloody good front to back. Feels modern, sleek and all the better for it. I’ll be adding some to the collection!

 If you ever ask yourself, should I try Rutherglen Syrah?

A 50 year history has earned the Bobbie Burns Shiraz, from the Rutherglen region, icon status among some for its consistently very high quality. My view... it’s not backwards in coming forwards. Deep, rich, plums and dark cherries. Coffee and oaky, cedar almost, toastiness offering great complexity. It’s got out and out drinkability and that’s probably the best part about it... other than the price of course! Well worth adding a few to the cellar, giving them 5+ years and watching them sing! -

 A 50 year history has earned the Bobbie Burns Shiraz, from

One down, two left. Couldn’t resist any longer! Zero regrets, the

 Hoffmann Dallwitz Syrah 2016 is a masterpiece. The mixture of Vine ages, 1888, 1912, and 1995 help deliver the beautiful complexity in this wine. Couple that with incredible vibrancy and freshness and this becomes one of those “I won’t forget this for a while” wines. A cassis, blackcurrant, blackberry fruit medley. Savoury olive tapenade, cedar-like oak notes balancing the sweet fruit that provide dense concentration and richness. In essence it’s a classical Barossa Shiraz that’s turbocharged, finessed almost, into easily one of the best wines I’ve enjoyed this year. Well played!

 One down, two left. Couldn’t resist any longer! Zero

Nothing beats adding a few of your favourites to the collection! Rusden, with their seven generations of grape-growing history, are one of my cellar staples. Balanced and beautifully powerful, stylistically Rusden, classical and new. I can’t wait to try The Chooks Head Zinfandel might be my first Aussie Zin, super excited about that. The Good Sheppard Malbec, who doesn’t love Malbec and finally, the Black Guts Shiraz... I love this stuff! What great additions... hopefully I’ll pace myself on them!

 Nothing beats adding a few of your favourites to the

Ever tried Tassie Malbec? This example from Grey Sands is my first, of what will be many if I can find more. In short, It’s bloody lovely.

Plums, mulberries, boysenberries and a feint touch of oak on the nose. Beautifully balanced mixed of dark fruits, mulberries and pomegranate, richly layered with mocha and tobacco. Medium tannins and great acidity package it up awesomely. It’s a ripper!

 Ever tried Tassie Malbec? This example from Grey Sands is

I tried this a few months back and loved it. Box-tickingly good from memory and it’s not disappointing tonight. It’s the perfect drop to wrap up the week! Great work

 I tried this a few months back and loved it. Box-tickingly

 Pinot Noirs. Have you ever tried them? What do you think of Pinot from Mornington Peninsula?⠀

I love their entry Pinot, such great value and consistently very good quality. Considering that, I decided to step up to the Estate Pinot...

. The Estate Pinot is a complex beauty. Dark cherry, subtle spice, savoury notes and the slightest inkling of oak on the finish wrapped up with beautifully fine tannin. Such a well made

 I have to say! I'd love to see this wine in 3-5 years to see the evolution. ⁣⠀

 I've always been a big fan of @paringaestate  Pinot Noirs

I’ve been so impressed with the wines from

 lately and this is no exception. Barossa Cabernet isn’t usually my cuppa but this is relaxed, full, and round with no pointy edges if that makes sense. It packs in the usual flavour suspects of cassis, blackberry and plums. Mint chocolate notes excite the palate and it’s all wrapped up smoothly with balanced acidity and tannin. It’s approachable as soon as you get the cap off, pop and pour no problem! -

 I’ve been so impressed with the wines from @atzescorner 

Looks like my next 3 days are sorted. This

 trio of Shiraz, Grenache Shiraz Nero and straight Nero from the McLaren Vale came a few weeks back should make for some bloody good mid-week drinking. I think I’ll start with a Shiraz🍷🙌

 Looks like my next 3 days are sorted. This @sherrahwines 

I should make it harder to find the good stuff in the cellar… this is how accidents happen! -

 I should make it harder to find the good stuff in the

 is just another Barossa Shiraz, it’s anything but. It’s light, racy, exciting with fresh blue and red berry fruit flavours perfectly balanced to seamlessly integrating the whole bunch twiggy herbal characters awesomely. Crisp acidity and fine tannins frame all beautifully. Well done chaps, it’s a ripper! -

 Don’t be fooled into thinking this @whistlerwines  is just

Stumbled across this little beauty tonight rummaging about for a drinker... Arguably the best Aussie Bordeaux blend money can buy, so I’m told… I’m yet to try it! I heard the 15 Quintets are some of the best Mount Mary have ever produced, which makes leaving them alone insanely hard! I can’t wait to try this!!

 Stumbled across this little beauty tonight rummaging about

Tonight is not about ratings or recommendations. Tonight is about Shiraz. Everything that makes Shiraz, Shiraz.

And whatever you chose to open…simple…

 JC’s Own 2019 Barossa Shiraz Tonight is not about ratings

My discovery of the year is Sholto Wines from Canberra. Jacob Carter is the founder and wine maker of

 which he started in 2015. I was lucky enough to review and enjoy four of his wines this year and was truely impressed.

I originally said “So if I could invest in a winery, this is it...simple....Thats the best compliment I can give. I just don’t want 6, I want the entire winery.” I still stand by that comment. The standout was his latest 2018 Syrah, which was absolutely beautiful and a wine I would buy and drink time after time.

In addition the 2018 Syrah was named the champion wine at the Canberra and Region Wine Show. 🍷