Place: Rayner Vineyard - McLaren Vale, SA

Variety: Shiraz

Farming: Organic

Andre Bondar took over the famed Rayner vineyard in McLaren Vale in 2012 and has since then become one of the region’s best producers of grenache and shiraz.

This release mainlines the essence of the Rayner vineyard with ripe blue fruits, a floral hit, heady spices and a liquorice lift. Textured and weighted, the palate is a joyous riot with inky depth, spice, cracked pepper and charred meats carried cloud-like by bright acidity, beautifully integrated tannins and tightly focussed length. An excellent release, this will match (if not surpass) the enthusiasm shown for last year’s wine.