Mitchell hold back their top line McNicol wines and release them with plenty of age to showcase the ageing potential of these wines. At the RRP, this has to be a loss leader.

Mitchell Wines, McNicol, Shiraz, Clare Valley, 2007

One can only wonder at the brutish nature this wine must have been at inception. This is still almost indomitable, only just beginning to move to garnet edging. Nose of raspberry liqueur, cocoa nibs, dried herbs, worn leather, blueberry muffin and soft cedary oak. The powerful, rippling palate still built on firm tannins with punnets of plums, raspberries and brambles. Nearing peak of maturation: plenty of guts without being crass.

RRP: $45
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 17.5/20

Wine sample courtesy of Mitchell Wines