2020 King's Wood Shiraz
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Tasting notes
Full screwcapped bottle all of 1,623 g but lighter in subsequent vintages, I believe. Called after the source of the French oak – in ‘ye olden times’ – for their foudre in which this wine was aged. Certified organic. Transparent crimson. Mmm! Very appealing nose that suggests northern Rhône Syrah with a really superior spine and line, great purity and a little saline touch at the end. Still with a little dry tannin on the end. This wine should run and run. Very fresh without being at all lean. So clean and healthy-tasting. Long. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Made from a single vineyard planted in 1999, this 2020 King's Wood presents a rich fruit core with subtle touches. Dark cherry and blueberry aromas are lifted by clove and fennel seed with ample volume and weight, with oak hardly in play. Mouth-filling levels of flavor follow, but with delicious delicacy illustrated by violet and old spice complexity. A solid base of tannins will see this wine drink well over the medium term.
A juicy and savory red with white pepper, dried meat and dark fruits. Fresh and vivid. Medium to full body. Tensioned, tight and fresh finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
Luscious fruit defines this 2020 King's Wood Shiraz, but it morphs through the middle palate with shades of meat, red licorice, dark chocolate and mulberry—it’s very sweet in character. There is blackberry, raspberry and licorice on the nose, however on day two it feels much softer and lighter, with deli meat, star anise, clove bud, green tea and layers of red apple, eucalypt and crushed granite. Kind of a loose, sandy disposition. Really impressive. Dappled and beautiful.
About the producer
One of the leading names in Australian wine, managed today by Peter Fraser, Yangarra farms its 90 hectares of vines biodynamically. The McLaren Vale estate works with Rhône varieties and is best known for its outstanding Grenache, the top botting of which is its High Sands cuvée.