One of d’Arenberg’s “Outsiders.”  d’Arry have recently just rolled onto the 2015 vintage, this one came out of the cellar stock.

d’Arenberg, The Lovegrass, Shiraz, McLaren Vale, 2014

Opens with a fair bit of house style d’Arry oak, before fragrant red licorice, red currant, raspberry, plum, vanilla bean, light musk sticks and off set with woody, twiggy undergrowth and some minerally slate. The palate balances both sides of the spectrum well, with the mineral line tightly holding the middle ground to allow neither too much fruit or too much earthy elements. Finishes with plenty of length and good, comforting tannins.  Good without being great. Okay for a couple more years in the cellar, but good with braised beef cheeks now.

RRP: $25
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 16.75/20

Wine from d’Arenberg, sourced from personal cellar.