Giaconda Shiraz 2016

Rick Kinzbrunner, owner/operator of Giaconda, is widely recognised as one of Australia's master winemakers.

Giaconda has produced some of our finest wines since 1985, helping to put the Beechworth region on the map of superlatives.

While the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir set his reputation for excellence in a solid position, this Shiraz is just as impressive.

Made from cooler climate fruit, it has typical whiffs of black pepper overlying ripe black cherry and plum, very much like top Côte Rotie from France's Rhõne Valley.

Open well before drinking; better still, decant it. The younger it is, the more airing it will need to fully evolve.

Beautiful springs immediately to mind. Lovely complexity. Incredible length and depth.

Australia makes some of the world's best Shiraz and this ranks up there with them.

Go full on Oz and pair this with roo fillet seared rare, served with a smoked tomato and beetroot sauce.

Steak? Of course! Wagyu? Why not?

Pigeon or guinea fowl or pheasant would all match well with a rich savoury sauce.

Drink this with a simple mushroom lasagne and enjoy how a basic meal can be elevated by superb wine.

A coq au vin would be quite nice too.

Greedy as we are, this treasure of a wine should be shared with your nearest and dearest.