Friday 11 June 2021 - Nick Stock
2016 The Laird
99 points
A distinctive and very concentrated, single-parcel shiraz that offers a rich plum and raisin nose with plenty of tarry notes and a swathe of baking spices. The palate is packed with rich, dark-plum and black-fruit flavors and the long, strong hold on the finish lasts for minutes. So intense, this is their finest Laird to date. Best from 2028.
2018 RunRig
98 points
A really complex wine already, this has aromas of blackberry, tar and dried spice, as well as blueberry and gentle, herbal edges. The essence-like blackberries and dark plums are delivered in a rich, full-flavored style. Great old-vine shiraz from a stunning vintage. Try from 2026.
2018 The Factor
98 points
A pristine nose of ripe and intense blackberries, blueberries and redcurrants, as well as some sanguine, rust-like notes. This is an excellent edition of The Factor. I like the power and focus this wine delivers and, in 2018, it is a wine of great length and presence. Abundant ripe blackberries bathe the palate. Try from 2025.
2018 Descendant
96 points
Shiraz co-fermented with 8% viognier, this has aromas of spiced blackberries and dark plums with chocolate notes, too. The palate has a round, silky feel with a mouthful of spicy dark-plum flavors, wrapped around long, even tannins. Impressive now, but even better in five years.
2018 Les Amis
93 points
All grenache here, this single parcel has a very rich and ripe feel with a wood-framed array of currant and pomegranate on the nose. The palate is a fuller-bodied style with bold tannins and a round, darker-fruit spectrum of flavor. Try from 2025.
2019 The Gask
93 points
Low yields in 2019 have driven this into a very concentrated zone with earthy and dry-stone edges to the intense blackberries. The oak is all second-fill French barriques for around 18 months. Try from 2025.
2019 The Steading
93 points
A blend of 53% grenache, 28% shiraz and 19% mataro. Each component has been elevaged in large-format oak (4,500 liters) and this is the wine that reflects the vintage style and quality. It shows the all-round consistency of 2018 with bright red and blue berries, some red pastry notes and deeper, earthy, slightly tarry notes, too. The palate has a rich, supple and fleshy texture with ripe red-plum and raspberry fruit flavors, as well as soft, late-picked tannins. Drink over the next eight years.
2018 The Pict
93 points
A dry-grown parcel, offering abundant aromas of blue fruit with darker, plum and violet tones as well. The palate has deep, black-fruit flavors with a thread of licorice and dark plum holding the finish. Softly layered tannins. Try from 2025.