RARE DEAL: Ulithorne Singularis Shiraz 2019

The 2019 Singularis Shiraz was crafted for extended cellaring, requiring time for its powerful tannins to integrate and soften. At five years of age, the wine has developed beautiful secondary characteristics like leather and tobacco notes while maintaining remarkable freshness. This patience-rewarding approach is typical of premium McLaren Vale Shiraz, where the region's warm climate produces wines with exceptional aging potential that can evolve gracefully for decades.

McLaren Vale's Mediterranean climate and diverse soils create ideal conditions for producing rich, full-bodied Shiraz with exceptional depth and complexity. The region's proximity to the ocean provides cooling influences that help retain acidity, while the warm days concentrate flavours like blood plum and violets found in this wine. Ulithorne's Singularis showcases the region's ability to produce wines that balance power with elegance, earning recognition from critics worldwide.

Decant this wine 1-2 hours before serving to allow the full-bodied tannins to open up and reveal the complex oak integration and fruit characteristics. Serve at 16-18°C to highlight the blood plum and violet notes while ensuring the leather and tobacco nuances shine through. Pair with rich dishes like slow-cooked lamb, aged beef, or strong cheeses that can match the wine's intensity and complement its oaky structure.

The 97-point Wine Orbit and 96-point Wine Showcase Magazine scores, plus Gold Medal recognition, indicate this is an outstanding example of premium Australian Shiraz. These high ratings from respected critics suggest exceptional balance, complexity, and aging potential that places it among Australia's finest wines. The consistency across multiple rating platforms demonstrates the wine's broad appeal and technical excellence in winemaking.

Given its current evolution showing leather and tobacco notes while maintaining fresh tannins, this wine has excellent cellaring potential for another 10-15 years. The depth and structure suggest it will continue developing more complex tertiary flavours while the McLaren Vale terroir ensures the fruit core remains vibrant. Store in a cool, dark place at consistent temperature, and expect the wine to reward patient collectors with increasing sophistication over time.