Argilla Paxton McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022

Happy New Year everyone!

Continuing our welcome to 2024, let's chat about this gobsmackingly delicious Shiraz.

As Australia's most widely planted variety, it ranges the full gamut: dense, full-bodied to rosé light and fruity.

This exemplar is the tops of what Australia performs best with this versatile grape.

Complex just begins to describe: blackberry compote, earthy richness, smooth tannic finish, long lingering palate.

Decanting is a must. Youth requires airing.

We matched it with pan fried rare eye fillet steaks and black garlic butter sauce.

Barbecued Frenched lamb cutlets with a side of ratatouille would suit too.

A rich mushroom risotto would rise to the occasion.

If you have pheasant, lucky you. Quick hot roast it with juniper berries, orange zest butter under the skin with a poultry demi-glace.

Or if you're looking for pure simplicity try it with a slice of comté, quince paste and lightly toasted sourdough.

Bring on 2024!