First Drop Fat of the Land Ebenezer Shiraz 2016

This single vineyard expression from First Drop showcases the distinctive terroir of Ebenezer in the Barossa Valley, where old vines and unique soil conditions create wines with exceptional depth and character. The 2016 vintage has earned remarkable critical acclaim with scores ranging from 94-96 points across multiple prestigious wine publications. Unlike mass-produced Shiraz, this wine represents a specific site's personality, offering the brooding, savoury style that Barossa's cooler sub-regions are renowned for.

Serve this wine at cellar temperature (16-18°C) in large Bordeaux-style glasses to allow the complex aromatics to develop fully. The rich, meaty character with chocolate and spice notes makes it an ideal companion for grilled lamb, aged beef, or hearty winter stews. The wine's savoury profile and full body also complement strong cheeses like aged cheddar or blue cheese, while the Christmas spice elements pair beautifully with game dishes featuring juniper or rosemary.

The 2016 vintage is drinking beautifully now, having had sufficient time to integrate its tannins and develop secondary flavours of leather and spice. However, premium Barossa Shiraz like this can continue evolving for 10-15 years from vintage, gradually developing more complex earthy and tertiary notes. If you enjoy the current chocolate and cherry fruit expression, drink it within the next 2-3 years, but those seeking more savoury, developed characteristics should consider cellaring until 2028-2030.

The 'Fat of the Land' designation refers to First Drop's philosophy of capturing the richest, most concentrated expression from their vineyard sites. This term reflects both the wine's full-bodied, opulent style and the producer's commitment to showcasing the land's natural abundance. In winemaking terms, it suggests concentrated fruit from low-yielding vines, where the vineyard's energy is focused into fewer bunches, resulting in more intense flavours and greater complexity in the final wine.

Single vineyard wines like this Ebenezer Shiraz are produced in small quantities because they come from specific, often premium vineyard blocks rather than blended fruit from multiple sources. First Drop's focus on quality over quantity means lower yields and careful selection, resulting in limited case production. The exceptional critical scores (94-96 points) have also increased demand among collectors and wine enthusiasts, making these bottles increasingly sought after as the vintage ages and stocks diminish.