Neldner Road Barossa Shiraz

Shiraz off mature vineyards on the north western ridge of the Barossa, around Marananga and Seppeltsfield, where the vines are more than thirty years old. Dark plum and blackberry lead, with tar, graphite, dried herbs and tobacco behind them. The palate is rounded and supple, carrying coffee grounds and cedar, and finishes on white pepper spice.

Marananga and Seppeltsfield sit on the warmer western side of the Barossa. That corner is known for depth rather than prettiness, and this wine reads that way from the first sniff.

Every parcel is vinified on its own in concrete vats, then basket pressed and assembled into 4,500 litre French oak foudres for eighteen months. Basket pressing is slow and gentle work, and it keeps the harsher tannin out of the wine. The foudre is large enough that the oak sits well under the fruit.

Dave Powell runs this label himself, from pruning through to the finished bottle, and keeps the handling deliberately simple. Give it half an hour open before pouring. It suits braised beef, sausages off the barbecue, or a plain roast chicken with plenty of pepper.