Pirathon Silver Label Shiraz
2018

“Another solid, well-built Barossa shiraz where the winemaker lets rip with Barossa power, but also brings forth a degree of elegance. The latter is delivered through lively red and black fruits with dried raspberry, dark plum and blackberry that lift the wine contributing an impressive fragrant complexity. Oak is on view but balanced with sweet vanillin, warm toasty notes. Tannins are sturdy but well-resolved and like the 2017 shiraz, alcohol is on the generous side hitting the scales at 15%. It carries it well. This is the bold, generous expression of Barossa shiraz that many of us love. It is of a style to be sure but the quality and intensity of fruit – definitely the hero here – lifts it well above the average.”

“Pirathon Shiraz 2018: I like this. A rich wine to be sure, glimpsing Barossan classicism with fruitcake spice and the mocha-vanillin burr of some American oak handling. Yet there is a decorous freshness and sophisticated sensibility. Dried nori, purple fruits, a smattering of star anise, clove and a nourishing core of beef bouillon-umami and biltong. The grape tannins are righteous for the region, corralling the flow of fruit while sewing seams of tension.”

“There are several wines that demonstrate that classic Barossa entry-level Shiraz which you’d happily go back to time and again. Add this Pirathon Silver Label to the list. A bit like that brash puppy dog, it shows its youth and wants to get amongst it all yet settles and finds comfort.

A Barossa blend of five sub-regions, it saw a mix of new and old French, American and Hungarian oak for 18 months.

With a bright crimson hue, vanilla and caramel scents diffuse from the glass. It’s dense and rich but not overly weighty. Mocha and licorice ride on the coattails of black fruits and some red plums. There’s a good nudge of oak but it’s not OTT. Flashes of mulberries come late with a surge of warmth and spice. For the money, you get a solid deal and a bottle of Barossa happiness.

Drink to five years+”