Review: Paulmara Estates MARAnanga Shiraz 2021

Firstly, what do you think of the red wine stain on the label? I thought there was a smashed bottle in the case and got very confused. Also, it’s Maranganga parish fruit, but a play in words, as Mara Georgiandis is a co-owner.

Anyway, this is luscious stuff and rather good value (as are so many of the Paulmara wines). Has that ultra-rich and lavish western Barossa style, only enhanced by 18 months in new and one-year-old oak. Purple and blue fruits, oak fills every crevice not taken up by dark fruit, with a vanilla pod new wood veil over everything. It’s come-hither oak, but boy, is it front and centre. Underneath the palate is rather silken, plush and nicely formed, the tannins fine. Sure, it’s oaky, but the structure is sorted.

The lowdown

• Best drinking: I'd go a decade for a start
• Score (out of 20): 17.7
• Score (out of 100): 92
• Alcohol %: 14.5
• RRP (in $AUD): 30
• Winery website: https://www.paulmara.com.au/
• Would I buy it?: A glass or two