WTF DROP: Di Fabio Bushvine Reserve Shiraz 2019

Bush-vines are ungrafted, old vines that grow without trellising support, forcing their roots to dig deeper for water and nutrients. This stress creates more concentrated flavours and lower yields, which is why Di Fabio's Blewitt Springs fruit produces such dense, complex wines. The old bush-vines in this sub-region of McLaren Vale are particularly prized for their ability to produce fruit with exceptional depth and character.

The 2019 vintage is rated as a 'Killer Vintage' for good reason - it was an exceptional year in McLaren Vale with ideal growing conditions that produced wines of outstanding quality and longevity. This vintage struck the perfect balance between concentration and elegance, avoiding the over-ripeness that can plague warmer years. The result is a wine that showcases McLaren Vale Shiraz at its finest, with the structure to age gracefully for years to come.

This rich, full-bodied Shiraz with its dark fruit flavours and comprehensive oak treatment pairs beautifully with robust dishes like slow-cooked lamb, beef brisket, or aged hard cheeses. The wine's milk chocolate and sweet spice notes make it particularly complementary to dishes with earthy herbs like rosemary or thyme. For a classic Australian pairing, try it with a char-grilled kangaroo fillet or a hearty meat pie.

After decades of supplying premium fruit to McLaren Vale's biggest names since the 1960s, Di Fabio built such a reputation for exceptional grape quality that making their own wine became the natural next step. Their generational knowledge of viticulture, combined with access to prime old bush-vine sites in Blewitt Springs, meant they had all the ingredients to create outstanding wines. This transition allowed them to showcase their fruit's true potential rather than simply selling it to others.

This wine demonstrates excellent cellaring potential, with the producer noting it was drinking beautifully five years ago and will continue to do so for at least five more years. The comprehensive oak treatment and full-bodied structure provide the backbone for extended ageing, while the high-quality bush-vine fruit ensures the wine will develop complexity over time. Store it in a cool, dark place and it should reward patient collectors for 10-15 years from vintage.