Ulithorne Frux Frugis Shiraz 2016 (3pk)

This flagship wine showcases premium, low-yielding fruit from Ulithorne's best vineyard parcels, creating magnificent concentration and complexity. The masterful use of both American and French oak - some new, some seasoned - allows the wine's symphony of black and blue fruits to shine while maintaining perfect balance. McLaren Vale's warm climate and diverse soils provide ideal conditions for Shiraz, and Ulithorne's meticulous winemaking has produced a wine that demonstrates exceptional ageing potential over two decades.

Serve this powerful McLaren Vale Shiraz at 16-18°C in large Bordeaux-style glasses to allow the concentrated aromas to develop fully. The wine's robust tannin structure and rich fruit flavours make it perfect for pairing with grilled red meats, aged cheeses, or hearty stews. Given its full-bodied nature and 97-point rating, consider decanting for 30-60 minutes to soften the tannins and reveal the complex layers of blackberry, plum, and allspice.

This wine has demonstrated remarkable longevity, with tastings at 20 years showing excellent development and structure. The 2016 vintage benefits from McLaren Vale's exceptional growing conditions and Ulithorne's careful oak programme, creating a wine built for the long haul. The combination of concentrated fruit, balanced acidity, and quality tannins suggests this Shiraz will continue evolving beautifully for another 10-15 years, developing tertiary flavours of leather, tobacco, and earth.

McLaren Vale's Mediterranean climate, with warm days and cool sea breezes from the nearby coast, creates perfect ripening conditions for Shiraz while maintaining crucial acidity. The region's diverse geology - from ancient sands to ironstone and clay - allows winemakers like Ulithorne to select fruit with different characteristics for blending complexity. This terroir expression, combined with the region's reputation for producing some of Australia's most celebrated Shiraz wines, makes McLaren Vale fruit highly sought after for premium bottlings.

The thoughtful combination of American and French oak - both new and seasoned - adds layers of complexity without overwhelming the fruit. American oak typically contributes vanilla and coconut notes while enhancing the wine's plush texture, while French oak provides more subtle spice and structural tannins. The mix of new and older barrels ensures the oak integration is seamless, allowing the concentrated blackberry and plum flavours to remain the star while adding depth and ageing potential to this flagship wine.