8.8 DEAL: 1pk Bethany Wines LE Shiraz 2020

This Limited Edition Shiraz stands apart through its use of old vines from two carefully selected vineyards, combined with meticulous winemaking that includes 30% new French oak maturation. The old vines contribute concentrated flavours and complexity that younger plantings simply cannot achieve, while the dual-vineyard sourcing allows for blending that balances different terroir characteristics. The result is a wine that earned dual 96-point ratings, showcasing the exceptional potential when traditional Barossa power meets refined winemaking technique.

While this wine is already showing beautifully, its full-bodied structure and high-quality French oak integration suggest it will continue developing for a decade or more. The 2020 vintage benefits from excellent growing conditions, and the wine's tannin structure and acidity will allow the complex fruit and spice characters to evolve gracefully. For those who enjoy more primary fruit expression, it's drinking wonderfully now, but patience will be rewarded with increased complexity and integration of the oak and fruit elements.

The wine's rich profile of blackberry, plum, and baking spices, combined with cedar notes from French oak, makes it ideal for robust dishes that can match its intensity. Think slow-cooked lamb with rosemary, aged beef steaks, or rich game meats like venison. The chocolate and mulberry notes also complement dishes with earthy elements like mushroom risotto or aged hard cheeses. The key is choosing foods with enough weight and flavour complexity to harmonise rather than compete with the wine's powerful character.

The vegan certification indicates that no animal-derived products were used during the winemaking process, including traditional fining agents like egg whites or isinglass. This reflects Bethany Wines' commitment to inclusive winemaking practices without compromising quality - as evidenced by the exceptional 96-point ratings from both Wine Pilot and Wine Orbit. Modern vegan winemaking techniques can achieve the same clarification and stabilisation results as traditional methods, making premium wines accessible to a broader range of consumers while maintaining the wine's full-bodied character and complexity.

These distinctive tasting notes reveal the wine's sophisticated flavour development and regional character. Black olive notes often emerge in well-made Shiraz through a combination of grape ripeness and oak influence, indicating savoury complexity beyond simple fruit flavours. The chocolate characteristics typically develop from the interaction between ripe fruit tannins and quality French oak, suggesting excellent integration and maturation potential. Together with the mulberry notes, these flavours create a wine that balances Barossa's signature richness with elegant, food-friendly complexity that will continue evolving in the cellar.