A new(ish) Fourth Wave Wine release. With a focus on “less packaging is awesome for the world” to reduce the carbon footprint for the wines. The bottles are the lightest commercially available (330gms empty) and made from glass company Orora’s “rejects.” that would have otherwise been trashed. No label on the carton or bottle: Just a printed collar and a cap with a QR code with the stuff it needs. There’s no mention of the vintage year (even on the Crate site launched by the QR code), but hunting on the Fourth Wave Wine site unearths 2021. Made by Corey Ryan.

Crate Wines, Shiraz, Barossa, 2021

Deep garnet with a bright rim. Deep plush plum and black fruit Barossa fullness. Black fruit slant: blackberry muffin and chunks of vanilla paste, mocha and black cherry.  Medium full: fine focus of fruit without being hot nor flabby. Some dark nuances from cooler Barossa parcels from Eden. A surprise packet, class and regionality with a good dedication to the winemaking. Bargain.

RRP: $59.99 (per 6 pack)
Alc: 14%
Rating: 17.25/20 (89/100)

Wine sample courtesy of Fourth Wave Wine