StarDozen – 97 Point Shiraz Collection

As you may imagine, of all the varieties, Shiraz scoring 97 Points with James Halliday are the most sought after. Despite over 9700 wines making the cut for his annual Wine Companion, there are still relatively few that climb the mountain that is 97 Points. What we have here is the StarDozen: James Halliday 97 Point Shiraz Collection featuring 3 bottles each from 4 renowned producers, representing Australia's best Shiraz spots (McLaren Vale, Hunter Valley. Adelaide Hills and the Barossa Valley).

The StarDozen consists of the following:

3 bottles Sidewood Shiraz 2017
3 bottles Nick O'Leary Heywood Shiraz 2017
3 bottles Yangarra McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017
3 bottles First Creek Hunter Valley Shiraz 2017

Sidewood Shiraz 2017

Five clones, mainly Selectiv’-harvested, a small portion hand-picked and vineyard-sorted for whole bunches, matured in French oak (25% new) for 13 months. Seriously satisfying, every aspect explored and finessed, ripe black fruits the core. Drink to: 2045; Price: $25.00; Alcohol: 14.5%; Rating: 97 Points & Special Value Star; James Halliday Wine Companion

Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz Cabernet 2017

I love what Glaetzer's inclusion of Cabernet brings to the 2017 Anaperenna Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, giving it additional fragrance and length. Lifted aromas of mint, raspberries and dark chocolate mark the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich and velvety but never heavy, framed by supple tannins that turn silky on the long, long finish. Showing great focus, energy and intensity, expect it to still be going strong in a decade. Tasted: June 2019; Drink: 2020-2035; Rating: 97 Points; Joe Czerwinski; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

Yangarra McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017

From six estate blocks, 75% destemmed, every berry optically scrutinised by a very expensive piece of equipment that happily deals with any disease or other damage (say botrytis). Wild yeast-open fermented, plunged, 14 months in French oak (20% new). The pure singularity of this certified biodynamic wine has a different face to its King's Wood sibling. It relentlessly captures the senses with its dark spiced fruits, the aftertaste slowly diminishing. Drink by: 2047; Date Tasted: Feb 2019; Price: $35.00; Alcohol: 14%; Rating: 97 Points & Special Value Star; James Halliday Wine Companion

First Creek Hunter Valley Shiraz 2017

A medium-bodied wine that captures the great vintage and frames it with a delicate framework or French oak. There are red fruit notes along with black, and fine, faintly earthy tannins adding to the texture of what will be a near-endless future. Drink to: 2047; Date Tasted: July 2019; Alcohol: 13.5%; Rating: 97 Points; James Halliday Wine Companion

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