Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz 2018

Yesterday I was banging on about how I prefer drinking Chardonnay over Shiraz, but here’s an exception. An Eden Valley Shiraz from Dom Torzi that proves that deliciousness and balance is not unachievable, even in riper Shiraz styles.

From Dom Torzi & Tracy Matthews family vineyard at Mount McKenzie in the Eden Valley, this incorporates 20% whole bunches and some appassimento drying in the mix – yet you wouldn’t know it. Instead, this carries that faint hint of mint and rosemary of Eden Valley Shiraz fruit, the style ripe but moderate in its expanse. You’re still in the Barossa, and the plush palate attests to that. But the weight, the ‘ahh, just rightness’ mediumness and whafts of sausage feels cooler. Almost Adelaide Hills-esque. Ultimately, this smooth, well-weighted Shiraz is everything you’d want in an Eden Valley red. Superb.

Best drinking: Now to fifteen years easy. 18.7/20, 95/100. 14.5%, $48. Would I buy it? Yes. Worth every cent. Mount Edelstone quality for a quarter of the price.