Price Drop: Ulithorne Frux Frugis Shiraz 2016 (3pk) – Marathon Deal

The exceptional score reflects the wine's masterful blend of premium, low-yielding fruit from McLaren Vale's finest parcels. Ulithorne's strategic use of both American and French oak - mixing new and seasoned barrels - creates remarkable complexity that balances power with finesse. The concentrated black and blue fruit profile, combined with the wine's proven 20-year ageing potential, demonstrates the exceptional winemaking that earned it Halliday's Special Value Award.

McLaren Vale's Mediterranean climate and diverse soils create ideal conditions for producing intensely flavoured Shiraz with natural concentration. The region's warm days and cool sea breezes from the nearby coast help retain acidity while developing rich fruit flavours like the blackberry, plum, and allspice notes found in this wine. This terroir allows Ulithorne to craft a full-bodied wine that maintains elegance despite its power and concentration.

While the Latin name suggests fruitfulness and productivity, this wine represents the pinnacle of Ulithorne's winemaking philosophy - selecting only the most premium, low-yielding fruit for maximum concentration. As their flagship wine, it showcases the winery's commitment to quality over quantity, using their best vineyard parcels and most careful winemaking techniques. The Five Star Halliday Winery rating reflects this consistent excellence across their entire portfolio.

This wine has demonstrated excellent ageing potential over 20 years, developing greater complexity and integration over time. The 2016 vintage is now approaching its optimal drinking window, where the initial power has mellowed into sophisticated harmony. Serve at 16-18°C to showcase the full spectrum of flavours, and consider decanting for an hour to allow the concentrated tannins to soften and the complex oak integration to fully express itself.

The wine's rich concentration and allspice notes make it perfect for robust dishes like slow-cooked lamb shanks, grilled ribeye steak, or game meats like venison. The blackberry and plum fruit flavours also pair beautifully with dishes featuring dark berry reductions or Mediterranean herbs. Consider aged hard cheeses or dark chocolate desserts to complement the wine's complexity and full-bodied structure.