Parous Stonehouse Shiraz 2016

Matt Head brings a unique creative and level-headed philosophy to winemaking that translates into wines with genuine spirit and soul. His reputation extends beyond Parous to cult favourite Big Easy Radio, demonstrating his ability to craft distinctive wines across different labels. This thoughtful approach results in Shiraz that balances power with finesse, avoiding the heavy-handed style that can overwhelm the palate.

The 2016 vintage in McLaren Vale delivered exceptional conditions that allowed Shiraz grapes to develop intense flavour concentration while maintaining natural acidity. This vintage produced wines with remarkable aging potential, which is why this bottle has been carefully safeguarded as a museum release. The combination of ideal weather patterns and skilled winemaking has resulted in a Shiraz that showcases the very best of what McLaren Vale can offer.

The savoury and tarry notes in this Shiraz reflect the distinctive terroir of McLaren Vale's ancient soils and Mediterranean climate. These earthy, complex flavours add depth beyond simple fruit sweetness, creating a wine that pairs beautifully with grilled meats and aged cheeses. The tarry character particularly speaks to the wine's concentration and the influence of quality oak aging, while savoury elements provide a sophisticated counterpoint to Shiraz's natural richness.

A 95-point rating from Wine Orbit places this Shiraz in the 'outstanding' category, representing wines of exceptional quality and character. This score indicates the wine demonstrates perfect balance, complexity, and aging potential that sets it apart from typical releases. Wine Orbit's additional five-star rating reinforces this assessment, suggesting the wine offers remarkable value and drinking pleasure that exceeds expectations for its category.

Museum release wines like this 2016 Shiraz have been carefully cellared to reach optimal drinking maturity, meaning the tannins have softened and complex secondary flavours have developed. Decant the wine 30-60 minutes before serving to allow it to breathe and fully express its evolved character. These wines represent a snapshot of a particular vintage and winemaker's vision, offering a drinking experience that showcases how premium Shiraz develops with proper aging.