We shouldn't be impacted by labels, and for the most part, I am unaffected. However, this 2019 Shiraz The Piece features a whimsical, impressionist style oil painting by artist Dan Tomkins (1974). The wine within is very light in frame and shows a delicate splay of red and purple fruits in the mouth. The acidity that courses through it reinforces the impression of saline/gently salty/briny freshness, which introduces a crushed shell, mineral character through the finish. The tannins are in keeping and are very fine, but they're firm and structural, hinting at the life that may lie in the future. Classy.

Very deep garnet in color, the 2012 Shiraz The Piece has a compelling nose of crème de cassis, blackberry pie, baker's chocolate and licorice with an earthy undercurrent and hints of eucalypt, incense and cigar boxes. Medium to full-bodied and densely packed with complex, multi-layered black fruit preserves, earth and spice flavors in the mouth, it has a firm yet rounded tannins frame and just enough freshness to give lift to the long finish. Cracking Shiraz!