Blackstrap McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017

When we introduced Blackstrap in 2011, it went down a storm among lovers of Australia’s richest reds. Not only for its dazzling intensity, but for its excellent value, too. All credit to Dan Parrott, our man on the ground! It’s great ‘finds’ like this that prove there’s no substitute for having a full-time buyer Down Under, working on your behalf. He sourced this powerful, velvety wine from the renowned McLaren Vale, next door to the Barossa, a region where top estates like RedHeads, D’Arenberg and Wolf Blass built their reputations. Blackstrap delivers layers of ripe berry fruit infused with the vanilla spice of oak-ageing. It’s at its best when decanted and served in large glasses with roast red meats, casseroles and summer barbecues.