Pasha McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022

Impressively packaged, this Shiraz, from an excellent vintage, is from 60-year-old vines. After destemming, there was a cold soak for a week before a slow fermentation over fourteen days. Maturation was for two years in French and American oak barrels, a percentage of them new.

Deep maroon with a magenta rim, if you like some quality vanilla oak in your reds, this one is for you. Well integrated but certainly still evident, the oak is joined by notes of chocolate, plums, mulberries, florals and smoked meats. A wine of excellent length, there is a juiciness thanks to the acidity, which really provides impressive energy. The wine is balanced, focused and finishes with sleek tannins. It should provide pleasure for the next ten to fifteen years. If you don't like oak, then the score needs to be dropped a few points. 96.