Tim Smith Wines Reserve Barossa Shiraz 2014

Two very different premium Barossa Shiraz on the bench today. One a little dated, another right on point. This is clearly the latter…

Sourced from two Eden Valley vineyards with the youngest almost 100yrs old. Maturation is in 500L puncheons, before bottling unfined and unfiltered.

Gee this looks a treat, the class obvious from the first whiff. Importantly, there’s a bit of x factor here – a hint of mushroom wildness in amongst a sea of dark plum fruit. It’s still a warm, ripe wine from a warm vintage, with a fudgey thickness on the finish to show for it. But the evenness and balance of this otherwise is really quite impressive, the style wavering between medium and full weight in the fashion of the best Eden Valley Shiraz and only wanting more time in bottle to hit the high notes.

Nice wine. A real sense of care about this too. Best drinking: I’d wait until 18 months so 2018-2030. 18/20, 93/100+. 14%, $85. Would I buy it? I’d go a few glasses.