Peter Lehmann The Barossan Shiraz 2018  £16.95

PETER LEHMANN THE BAROSSAN SHIRAZ 

Crafted by the next generation of Peter Lehmann winemakers, The Barossan showcases the superb fruit sourced from the many sub-regions across the Barossa Valley. Parcels of high-quality fruit were carefully selected from around 40 growers to produce a seamless blend of varying expressions of Shiraz.

The fruit was fermented and macerated on skins for up to two weeks, with 25% barrel fermentation. Once blended, the wine was transferred into barrels, 50% of which were new American oak, the remainder being older French and American oak, for 15 months before bottling.

This creates a complex and layered wine with fruit intensity and suppleness. Lifted cherry and brooding dark fruit aromas combine seamlessly with sweet chocolate and mocha undertones. An intense, generous and full-bodied wine with fine tannins and a soft, supple finish.

92 Points James Halliday

Hand-picked across the more propitiously situated blocks; machine picked across others. Full-bodied and glossy, as could be expected, with a bright vermilion hue. Dark cherry, olive, smoked meat, camphor and a brush of aniseed coat the cheeks. A clench of reductive tension and nicely embedded oak tighten things up across a generous chocolatey finish licked with a peppery spice. The structural attributes here are winning.

Reviewed by Ned Goodwin