8.8 DEAL: 1pk Burge Family Winemakers Reserve Draycott Shiraz 2020

This Reserve Draycott Shiraz showcases the finesse that separates exceptional Barossa wines from the rest. While many regional Shiraz can fall into overly ripe territory, this wine strikes the perfect balance between developed fruit flavours and freshness. The old vine fruit from the single Draycott vineyard provides concentrated flavours with natural acidity, creating a wine that's both powerful and elegant - a hallmark of premium Barossa winemaking.

This 2020 vintage is already drinking beautifully now, but its full-bodied structure and old vine concentration suggest excellent cellaring potential of 10-15 years. The wine's spiced, herbaceous character and long finish indicate it has the tannin backbone and acidity to develop greater complexity over time. However, given its current appeal and the winemaker's own admission of early consumption, you'll be rewarded whether you drink it now or age it patiently.

The wine's blackberry and dark chocolate notes, combined with its oaky structure, make it ideal for rich, savoury dishes. Think slow-cooked lamb shanks, grilled ribeye with herb butter, or aged hard cheeses. The spiced, herbaceous qualities also complement Mediterranean flavours like rosemary-crusted meats or ratatouille. The wine's full body and long finish can stand up to bold flavours without being overwhelmed.

The dual 97-point scores from Patrick Eckel and Wine Orbit reflect the wine's exceptional balance and craftsmanship. Critics recognise the difficulty in achieving developed fruit flavours without crossing into overly unctuous territory - a technical achievement that Burge Family Winemakers has mastered here. The combination of old vine fruit, single vineyard sourcing, and the producer's iconic status creates a wine that exemplifies premium Australian Shiraz at its finest.

Old vines, typically 30+ years old, produce smaller yields of more concentrated fruit with deeper, more complex flavours. These mature root systems access different soil layers and minerals, contributing to the wine's distinctive character and the 'long fantail finish' described. Old vine Shiraz often displays greater flavour intensity and natural balance, explaining why this wine achieves such remarkable fruit concentration while maintaining elegance and avoiding the overly ripe characteristics common in younger vine wines.