Matured in a combination of both American and French oak, the 2020 Command Single Vineyard Shiraz is the clear definition of "give the people what they want." This is Barossa Shiraz to its core, and the legions of fans for this style have been, for 34 vintages, enthralled by the dense purple fruit, savory, spicy tannins and the toasty, plush oak. The trinity of these elements comes together in this 2020 wine, birthed by a warm/hot, painfully low-yielding season. The fruit here is brooding and dark, with layers of salted licorice, resin, tobacco smoke, mulberry jam, blood plum, mejool date and a swathe of gritty (bottom of the pot) black tea tannins. It's meaty, too. 14.8% alcohol, sealed diner screw cap.

2019 was a warm, low-yielding and dry vintage in Barossa, and you can see that in the compression of the fruit in the mouth. This 2019 Command Single Vineyard Shiraz is hugely concentrated, coiled and long, with strong, ropy tannins that lay out through the finish. The fruit has such intensity that a couple more years isn't going to bother it in the least. By "a couple more years," I am of course meaning 10 or 15 plus.

Opens up with bright, juicy red fruit flavors, which are intense and set against a background of appealingly chewy tannins. Features fresh spice, herb and black tea notes that add complexity, with spicy cedar and tobacco accents and a touch of toasted clove lingering on the finish. Drink now through 2038. 160 cases imported.??–MW??Region: Australia / Barossa / Barossa Valley Select to Add

Take Ancestor Vines (planted in 1894), a great vintage, experienced winemaking, add 30 months of aging in American and French oak, and the result is the stunning 2018 Command Single Vineyard Shiraz. Boasting fabulous density and concentration, this full-bodied effort is still almost embryonic in its development, with tarry, mocha, yet lifted notes accenting intense blackberry fruit; a rich, supple yet structured mouthfeel, and a long, mouthwatering finish. Once it hits its stride in a few years, it should drink well for 20 years or more.

Blackberry, kirsch and huckleberry flavors are concentrated and velvety, highlighted with herb, spice and cedar notes. Details of cigar box and date bread linger on the long, generous finish. Drink now through 2037. 700 cases made, 108 cases imported.??–MW??Region: Australia / Barossa Select to Add