Altera Terra Woods Paddock Shiraz 2021

Altera Terra Woods Paddock Shiraz 2021
A truly superior medium-bodied and savoury Rhône-inspired shiraz which gradually unfolds a deep, dark and smoky bouquet of blackberries, cassis and dark plums backed by notes of gravel and mineral but lifted by exotic scents of eastern spices. Almost a case of shiraz meeting pinot, it’s long and deeply layered, with a dewy core of black and red fruits framed by pliant but genuinely firm and bony tannins, building flesh and roundness as it finishes with an emphatic flourish of pristine flavour and balance. 97/100 Jeremy Oliver.

A single vineyard Shiraz of elegance, restrained power and fine detail rarely seen in Australian expressions. This was quite tight in its youth and requires a long and steady decant.

Opaque bloody ruby with a tightly layered, complex and deeply perfumed nose. It’s seductive, gently smoky and mineral with aromas of violets, mixed berries, plum, hints of orange zest, game and charcuterie, white pepper, Dutch licorice, mocha, the beginnings of sous-bois and dried herbals. Lots going on!

In the mouth it’s effortless and drives with an underlying strength of red, blue and black fruit that have purity of flavour, savouriness and definition, without heaviness. It’s creamy, bright with fresh acidity and textured by finely knit tannins that crescendo towards the midpalate and beyond. Sophisticated and beautifully integrated oak adds layers of spice and complexity to the fruit, the trademark of its maker, and it travels long to a tail that fades gracefully. Harmonious and complete. An important expression of Australian shiraz, from a great site in Avoca, that manages to achieve the restrained power of the old world without compromise. (98) MARC MALOUF