The apex of d’Arenberg’s Icon series. In 2013, it was number 18 in Wine Ark’s “most collected” list down 3 places from the previous rankings. In 2016, it’s moved down again to number 20. Still, the popularity of this label is prominent, considering the amount of wine that is purchased in Australia.

d’Arenberg, The Dead Arm Shiraz, McLaren Vale 2013

Deep purple in colour and glass staining. Turbulent nose: Inky, then ferrous, brooding before plum syrup, pine needles and dark chocolate. Oak is parked like a double decker bus in a handicap zone. Full, (but not plush) McLaren Vale red/purple fruit and ropey tannins make for hedonism and recklessness in youthful consumption. Cracked black pepper sprinkles across it all. There’s no two ways about it, this will need to sit and brood a while to see if there’s elegance that can emerge with time.

RRP: $65

Alc: 14.6%

Wine sample courtesy of d’Arenberg