Wild Duck Creek Springflat Shiraz 2021

Stuart McCloskey "Brooding in a word and takes some coaxing for sure. I advise decanting for at least 4-6 hours (more if you can spare the time). The blue and black fruits are tinged with minerals, which provides lift and added interest. Olive tapenade, bacon, orange zest, raspberry, woodsmoke and camphor provide the remainder of the olfactory ingredients. Rhône-esque, for sure (albeit sweeter)… The flavours, balance, tannins, and acidity are spot-on. The fruit is ripe, but wonderfully fresh. Lots of energy. Violette pastille and spiced fruitcake appear to be the hallmark for ’21. The tannins provide grip and acidity provides clarity. There’s a smoky overlay. I do enjoy the floral character too. There’s quality on show and the finish is extremely long. This feels like a ‘baby’ Reserve but fresher, and more approachable in its youth. Drink now or cellar for at least 15+ years. Served using Zalto glassware."

Mike Bennie, The Wine Front "It’s such a fun wine to drink, all slurpy and loose knit, lucid in red and black berry fruitiness, ripe, round, smooth, supple, a jelly meets currants meets jube thing going on. Elements of herb and spice, some sweetness for sure but a sappy bitterness in tannin is pleasingly there and a light dusting of clove-cinnamon spice keeps some other elements in play. Heady, overt, party time gear for big red lovers, but done well"