Judges Comments:

Red wine is fabulous with meat because of its tannins – those same tannins also allow the wine to age beautifully. So here we have the perfect wine to stock up on now and try regularly over the next five years. Hauntingly floral with a charming play between black and blue fruit. The palate is succulent and silky with great structure. A complete package displaying interesting maturity for a youthful wine.

Pairing Recommendation:

Shiraz is often a powerful rich wine that’s perfect with big rich flavours. Try it with burger and ribs, steak, sausages and game dishes. Take to a pot-luck dinner or a BBQ with the neighbours and, of course, wonderful with the Sunday roast. Syrah is the same grape, but often a wine that is more medium bodied, great with pizza and pasta dishes, game, especially duck and rabbit. BBQ lamb and slow cooked meat dishes, as well as a simple steak with green beans and potato fries. Pair this hard or aged cheese like cheddar, gouda and pecorino.