Gundog Estate Hunter’s Shiraz 2015

Easily the standout wine in the ’15 Gundog Estate Shiraz releases tasted to date. 2015 is a tricky vintage in the Hunter with wet conditions and hail smashing crops. This comes from the Somerset vineyard and spends 10 months in French oak.

Mid ruby with purple hints, it smells immediately of Hunter Shiraz with black pepper, black earth and red fruit. Lots of fresh black earth – it just smells substantial. Juicy red fruited palate looks just a bit warm and spiky, but it is still nice and bright, the style very much in the medium bodied, earthy Hunter Burgundy mode (though with more alcohol).

Good now, should look even better in a decade. Best drinking: 2018-2030. 17.7/20, 92/100. 14%, $40. Would I buy it? I’d go a glass.