Review: Clandestine Vineyards McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021 – hello bargain

Now this is a bargain, especially when it can be found in retail land for $19.99. The Clandestine Vineyards McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021 comes from a vineyard in Blewitt Springs. Handpicked fruit, basket-pressed, with 10% whole bunches in the mix and matured in 25% new oak for 20 months. A great purple-red colour too. Has that plum-berried juiciness of good Vale Shiraz. Open, warm plumpness. Almost sticky dark fruit. Extra nice finessed tannins. This is a highlight with surprisingly grand proportions for a $30 wine. The fine-grained tannins and that mid-weight blue fruit poise? Lovely.

The lowdown

• Best drinking: Good now but will live for a decade no probs
• Score (out of 20): 18
• Score (out of 100): 93
• Alcohol %: 14.5
• RRP (in $AUD): 30
• Winery website: https://www.clandestinevineyards.com.au/
• Would I buy it?: Sure would for $19.99!