Wild Duck Creek Shiraz Pressings (Rare) 2021

Stuart McCloskey "‘Liquid Gold’ declares Liam. Personally, more akin to the dark universe. The aromatics are spectacular by any measure – oodles of coal, graphite, damson, plum, blackberry, red fruits, leather, warm earth, lavender, pencil lead, salt and the sweetest spice. Espresso after lots of aeration. The palate is liquid velvet. The fruit is sumptuous and voluminous. For the ultimate, palate-staining experience – this is the one. Black and blue fruits infuse with violet pastille, vanilla, spiced fruitcake, dark chocolate and coffee. The tannins are shapely and wrap the fruit up in a blanket of cashmere.  The counterbalance between power and richness is an astonishing achievement. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Decanting is highly advisable (4-6 hours). Drink now to 2040+. Served using Zalto glassware."

Mike Bennie, The Wine Front "I always enjoy catching the new Wild Duck Creek releases and seem to be only one of a few who might get a set each year to look at, though I suspect as always that the loyalists buy the wines regardless. Liam Anderson is firmly at the helm these days, David Anderson of course still a guidepost and looming figure there. More nuance with Liam, perhaps? The wines still of a theme and typically robust, but, as often, balance seems to make its mark. Here is the Pressings wine, where those bold juices are extracted slowly in a basket press (and often overnight!) as it is described.

Magnificent example of bold, rich, ripe, muscular shiraz with robust and shapely tannins a feature. Inky in colour, inky in texture, scents of ripe blackcurrants, coal, cinnamon toast, new leather and dark chocolate. Similar flavours, something plummy and a lick of liquorice in there too, the finish a plume of milk and dark chocolate, molten in feel, staining the palate. The rub of silty tannin works a treat. It settles in beautifully, potent as can be but only gently warming, despite the quibbles some may have with the marked alcohol percentage. Nectar."