100% Shiraz - Sourced from the Fechner Family Vineyard – Moculta Road, Eden Valley. Planted on own roots in 1976 (0.665 Hectare – 11ft x 9ft spacing). Clay Loam over weathered bedrock with intermittent bands of mica schist at 336m above sea level.
Hauntingly fragrant with a ‘glacier-like’ purity and arsenal of aromatics this boasts the balance, clarity and energy that can only be leached from the finest terriors. A thick scent of blueberry, crème de cassis, violets and pipe smoke relent to a dark, mineral laden underbelly of slow roasted meats, cold granite, tilled earth and Chinese five spice. Deftly combining restraint, power and poise this hedonistic beauty provides enticing drinking and will continue to unravel its riches for many years to come. DAN STANDISH

Standish again deliver the ultimate in luxury packaging with this stark, white label and dumbbell weighted bottle. ‘Borne Bollene’ Shiraz comes from the Eden Valley and a vineyard planted in 1976. Opens with lifted cedary oak, sweet tobacco, mustard powder and warm cinnamon roll-like aromas. The palate is fleshy, lusciously textured with juicy yet seriously concentrated fruit characters – it runs from black berries to dried currants to red mulberry fruit. Granite, earth, paprika are all at play within the generous, concentrated berry flavours and it finishes with iodine and mouthwatering acidity. Though not quite meshed with the omnipresent oak, it feels fancy and highfalutin, in that breezy, almost cool Eden Valley way. Power and constraint. MIKE BENNIE, The Wine Front