First Drop Fat of the Land Seppeltsfield Shiraz 2016

Seppeltsfield sits in the heart of the Barossa Valley, where the combination of ancient soils and Mediterranean climate creates ideal conditions for premium Shiraz. The vineyard's terroir contributes to the wine's distinctive savoury character and complex spice profile. Single vineyard expressions like this allow the unique characteristics of this specific site to shine through, rather than being blended away.

The 2016 vintage in Barossa was exceptional, producing wines with excellent concentration and balance. At seven years of age, this Shiraz has developed beautiful secondary flavours like leather and Christmas spices while retaining its core fruit intensity. The vintage's natural acidity helps preserve the wine's freshness despite its full-bodied nature, making it drinking beautifully now with potential for further cellaring.

The wine's savoury, brooding character and notes of chocolate and morello cherries make it perfect for rich, hearty dishes. Think slow-cooked lamb with rosemary, aged beef steaks, or game meats where the wine's leather and spice notes complement the protein's earthiness. The full body and tannin structure can also handle strong cheeses and dishes with bold, umami-rich flavours.

The exceptional ratings from Wine Orbit (96pts) and James Suckling (94pts) reflect John Retsas's masterful winemaking and the quality of the Seppeltsfield fruit. Critics recognised the wine's perfect balance between power and elegance, its complex flavour development, and how well it expresses its single vineyard origin. The small batch production allows for meticulous attention to detail throughout the winemaking process.

Serve this full-bodied Shiraz at 16-18°C to allow its complex aromatics to fully express themselves. Decanting for 30-60 minutes will help soften the tannins and open up the savoury characteristics. Store bottles on their side in a cool, dark place - while drinking beautifully now, this wine has the structure to cellar for another 5-8 years, developing even more complexity over time.