Shingleback, The Davey Estate Shiraz 2011

The 2011 vintage of the Shingleback The Davey Estate Shiraz is finally on the shelves and given the quality of the latest offering from one of McLaren Vale’s best-known producers, it may soon be in short supply.

Over the last few years, I have been fortunate enough to sample the majority of the Shingleback range of reds and it’s fair to say that the 2011 Shiraz is as good as I’ve seen. The dark magenta colour of the wine in the glass perhaps telegraphs the richness of the plum, mulberry and rhubarb flavours that soon explode across the front palate. The wine is mouth-filling and lively but remains in harmony with the tannins, perhaps courtesy of 14 months’ time spent on French and American oak. The real attraction of the newly released vintage is the luxurious fruit that cuts a silky swathe across your mouth, yet finishes crisply, although lingering with just a touch of warmth. There’s none of the murky taint that has at times affected the back end of previous releases and at only a bit over $20 a bottle, it punches well above its weight.

I’m told that James Halliday gave it 92 points and at the price point, you’d be doing well to find better value.