Alkina Estate Shiraz 2024

Barossa Shiraz with a Rhône accent from Alkina's certified organic and biodynamic estate at Greenock. Blackberry, black cherry and mulberry open onto cracked pepper, dried thyme, black olive and a graphite mineral streak, with fine-but-firm sappy tannins and juicy acidity holding it all in line. Hand-picked fruit is naturally fermented with 50-80% whole bunches, then the parcels age twelve months in concrete tulips, old oak foudres and a concrete amphora before blending. Just 215 dozen made; 94 points from the Halliday Wine Companion.

The fruit comes from two kinds of ground. Old vines rooted in clay give the depth, while younger vines on limestone-influenced soil bring the lift. Alkina has mapped its farm into 22 polygons by geology with soil specialist Pedro Parra. This blend leans on the best Shiraz blocks among them.

The 2024 season followed a long cold winter and a dry spring. Disease pressure was low, canopies stayed open and berries ran small. Picking started on 5 February, and the warm, compressed vintage brought sugar, flavour and tannin together in step. Each parcel was basket pressed after ferment.

Alejandro Bulgheroni bought the 60 hectare farm near Greenock in 2015, with vines dating back to the 1950s. Amelia Nolan makes the wines. Drink it now with a chargrilled ribeye or slow-cooked lamb, or cellar it for up to ten years.