Wine & Spirits
Elegant bottles. Collector picks. Reviews that ask if it’s worth opening.
From cellar icons to unexpected pours, Wine & Spirits is where we explore standout bottles—what they deliver, how they unfold, and when they’re worth the splurge.
Château Yaldara Grand Cuvée Shiraz 2021; Built to Impress. Harder to Love.
Château Yaldara Grand Cuvée Shiraz 2021 is one of the most expensive bottles we’ve opened to date—and it knows it. This Barossa Valley Shiraz arrives dressed for attention, with a bold black label, deep glass, and 15% ABV that hints at both power and polish. It leads with presence, and leans hard into its prestige cues. But does the experience go deeper than the design?
Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Review: Acidic, Grippy, and Unapologetically Direct
Penfolds Max’s Shiraz 2022 carries a quiet reverence within its uniform red-capsule bottles—an homage to Max Schubert, the original creator of Grange. It arrives with understated visual cues, but a reputation that nudges expectations upward. After recently tasting the Shiraz Cabernet from the same range, we approached this bottle with curiosity.
Penfolds Bin 8 Shiraz Cabernet Review: Balanced, Warming, and Quietly Composed
Penfolds Bin 8 is often positioned as the more approachable sibling in the Penfolds family—less prestigious than the numbered icons, but still built with structure and seriousness. This 2021 release delivers on that intent: a bold, oak-forward wine that doesn’t chase sweetness or softness.
Elderton Barossa Shiraz 2021: Rich, Round, and Ready Now
A bold Barossa Shiraz with a heritage name behind it, Elderton’s 2021 expression walks the line between classic richness and structured restraint. Tasted on a rainy winter afternoon, it felt seasonally perfect—deep-hued, brooding, and slow to reveal its character. This isn’t one that rushes to impress. It invites patience—and food.
Lone Palm Hillside Shiraz 2022; Not Bold for Attention—Layered for Discovery
Wrapped in matte black and finished with a gold crest, Lone Palm’s Hillside Shiraz looks like it has something to say—and it does. But instead of shouting with sweetness or oak, it chooses a slower, more deliberate pace.
Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz Mataro 2018; A Steady Hand in a Loud Region
A heritage label from one of Australia’s most recognisable names, Penfolds Bin 2 combines Shiraz’s plush weight with Mataro’s savoury backbone. It’s a style the brand has been refining since the 1960s—never the headline act, but always part of the supporting cast.
Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz 2023: Grip Over Generosity
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We opened the 2023 Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz over a long, rainy winter’s lunch—a day made for red wine. The mood called for something bold and comforting, and with its Barossa pedigree and 15% heft, we expected warmth, fruit, and power.
St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Review – Structured and Self-Assured
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We opened this bottle on a grey, rainy winter’s afternoon—the kind of weather that makes you crave depth, warmth, and something structured. With a reputation for classic styling and a label that carries weight in the Cabernet world.
Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Cabernet Review: Grippy, Oak-Led, and Built for the Long Haul
Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Cabernet 2020 belongs to the more accessible tier of the Penfolds range—crafted for drinkers who want structure and polish without stepping into prestige pricing. While it carries the familiar depth of a Penfolds blend, it doesn’t try to rival its iconic siblings.
Penfolds Max’s Cabernet Sauvignon Review: Structured, Restrained, and Quietly Rewarding
Penfolds Max’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 was the final bottle in our Max’s trio. After tasting the Shiraz and Shiraz Cabernet earlier in the week, this Cabernet arrived with quiet confidence. The label—Penfolds’ classic presentation with Max Schubert’s profile tucked into the corner—remains as refined and familiar as ever.
Château Marsau 2015 Review: Structured, Tannic, and Quietly Confident
Château Marsau 2015 doesn’t open with fireworks—it’s more like a firm handshake and a moment of silence. But give it time, and it starts to reveal a personality: structured, dry, and just a touch off-beat.
Henschke Keyneton Euphonium 2021 Review – Structure Over Showmanship
A bottle of quiet authority. The name alone—Euphonium—signals something layered, sonorous, orchestral. You don’t open a Henschke on a whim; it’s a wine with lineage and structure.
John Duval Wines ‘Plexus’ 2022 GSM Review – A Study in Balance from a Barossa Icon
From the former Penfolds Chief Winemaker comes a blend built on structure, not showmanship. Plexus 2022 plays well with food, sparks conversation, and finds common ground between boldness and restraint.