Unicorn Deal: Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz 2000

This wine showcases the remarkable ageability of premium McLaren Vale Shiraz, particularly from century-old vines planted in 1910. The deep clay soils and established root systems have created a wine with exceptional concentration and structure that continues to evolve beautifully. At over two decades old, it demonstrates how well-made reserve-level Shiraz develops complex secondary flavours while maintaining its core fruit integrity and power.

These gnarly bush vines, tended by three generations of the same family, produce fruit with extraordinary depth and complexity that younger vines simply cannot match. Old vines naturally self-regulate their yield, concentrating flavours into fewer, more intense grapes. The extensive root system accessing deep water sources creates wines with remarkable balance between power and elegance, explaining the wine's 97-point rating from Wine Orbit.

The rich, full-bodied profile with dark chocolate, liquorice and plum flavours pairs magnificently with robust dishes like slow-braised lamb shanks, aged beef steaks, or game meats. The wine's maturity and complexity also complement strong cheeses, particularly aged cheddar or blue cheese. For a regional pairing, try it with traditional Australian barbecue featuring native spices and herbs.

At 23 years of age, this wine is drinking beautifully now, having developed the complex tertiary flavours that make aged Shiraz so compelling. However, premium McLaren Vale Shiraz from exceptional vintages like this can continue evolving for decades. The wine's structure suggests it could cellar for another 10-15 years, though drinking it now allows you to experience its current peak of integration between fruit, tannins and oak.

McLaren Vale's Mediterranean climate, combined with diverse soil types including the deep clay mentioned here, creates perfect conditions for Shiraz. The region's proximity to the ocean moderates temperatures while the east-west vine orientation protects fruit from harsh afternoon sun. These factors, along with the area's winemaking heritage dating back to the 1830s, have established McLaren Vale as one of Australia's premier Shiraz regions, consistently producing wines that compete on the world stage.