The Gaia Vineyard — now 40 years old – continues to produce wines of freshness, balance and moderate alcohol — a style consumers the world over are gravitating towards. More than that, the evolving climate has vindicated the original vision plant vines in such an inhospitable place. Full article in the March / April edition of WBM. #Wine #Business #Magazine

Penfolds Grange La Chapelle Shiraz Syrah 2022 scores 99 points from Tyson Stelzer in WBM. “As unexpected as this union is on every level, there was something quite profound about its execution in the inaugural 2021 vintage, and its successor is not only a grand declaration that this was no one-off, but indeed an even more coherent and harmonious blend – staggeringly profound for all it represents. Even in its tightly-coiled youth, it presents at once the grace of La Chapelle and the density of Grange, but what really sets this vintage apart is its fine-boned tannin profile of beautifully mineral finesse, and yet is mouthfilling, confident and immensely enduring.” $3,500. @penfolds #GrangeLaChapelle #99 #Shiraz #Syrah

Skillogalee Clare Valley Sparkling Shiraz NV scores 92 points from Tyson Stelzer in WBM. “The elegant restraint of Shiraz from the high contours of the Skillogalee vineyard is well suited to sparkling, contrasting a core of deep regional satsuma plum, blackberry and black cherry fruit with dark chocolate oak and layers of cool black pepper and spice. Finely structured, neatly balanced tannins promise a medium-term future, set off with just the right level of dosage (21g/L) to not appear sweet.” $40. @skillogalee @clarevalleywine #92 #Sparkling #Shiraz #elegant ❤️

Clonakilla Canberra District Shiraz Viognier 2024 scores 96 points from Tyson Stelzer in WBM. “Decimated by October frosts, 2024 was a season of intensity and definition at Clonakilla, making for a Shiraz Viognier as characterful and distinctive as ever. Five percent Viognier and 22 percent whole bunches unite to heighten aromatics and spice, building layers of pot pourri and white pepper to a deep core of black cherry, blackberry, liquorice, even hints of black olive. Tannins are at once graceful and confidently firm and fine, promising medium-term endurance.” $130. @clonakillawines @canberrawines #96 #graceful #firm #fine

Yalumba The Caley Coonawarra & Barossa Cabernet & Shiraz 2021 scores 100 points from Tyson Stelzer in WBM. “This is not only the greatest wine to ever emerge from the hallowed halls of Yalumba, it is categorically the finest exemplar of the great Australian blend of the modern era, and the equal of the greatest in history. Kevin ‘KG’ Glastonbury’s relentless fanaticism has fused Coonawarra Cabernet with Barossa Shiraz (26 percent) to perfection, and I use this word very deliberately. While I was not alive at the time of its release, it has perhaps not been since Max Schubert’s legendary 1962 Penfolds Bin 60A that this union has been mastered with such breathtaking harmony. I have bestowed a perfect score on an Australian table wine only once in the past decade, and The Caley 2021 is every bit deserving.” $395. @yalumbawine @barossawines #100 #Perfect