The 2019 Savitar Shiraz was my pick of the bunch. This is serious, precise and driven and, again, sourced from Whites Valley, as is the 2019 GAM Shiraz. The maturation rolls out in 100% French oak. The extract here is savory and firm; the fruit is driven by tannins, and they really screw down the fruit and compress it in the glass. It’s tight. One can see that the longevity of this wine may outweigh that of the others, making it quite a layered and exciting wine to drink—certainly now, but in the future too.

More high-toned and red-fruited, the cherry-scented 2018 Savitar Shiraz also hints at vanilla, cedar and dried spices (from the oak), plus some slightly darker berry notes. It's full-bodied but tighter and more age-worthy than the GAM or Angela, with a taut, lingering finish.

Sourced from a lower-yielding section of the same vineyard as the GAM Shiraz and matured in 100% new oak, the 2017 Savitar Shiraz is tighter and more concentrated, yet it still remains essentially approachable. Hints of toasty oak frame bold blackberry and blueberry flavors in a wine that's full-bodied and lush without being unstructured. Soft tannins dominate the long, mouthwatering finish,

Matured in 100% new French oak (versus 70% new for the GAM), the 2015 Savitar Shiraz is a bit tighter and toastier up front, with cedary and menthol notes that dominate some of the herb and spice notes found in the GAM. The powerful, dark fruit still comes through, like a locomotive of blackberries and plums, ripened to creamy suppleness and extracted to silky richness, with plenty of finesse and length on the finish.

Espresso and cocoa notes lend some traction to the plum and black cherry flavors. Robust and firm, with a juicy finish. Drink now through 2027. 50 cases imported.??–MW??Region: Australia / McLaren Vale Select to Add