MMAD Shiraz 2023 from MMAD Vineyard in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, is a deeply coloured, cool–year shiraz that swaps brute force for perfume, spice and beautifully etched structure. Old, dry–grown vines planted in 1942 on Blewitt Springs sand over ironstone give serious intensity, while gentle handling and a mix of concrete and large French oak keep things precise and quietly powerful.

In the glass you’re looking at dark cherry, blackberry pastille and cassis, layered with black tea, violet, rose, sage, anise, clove, pepper, dusty cacao, bitter chocolate and that graphite/ironstone twist that screams Blewitt Springs. The palate is medium–full but buoyant, with waves of black cherry, plum and blueberry framed by bright acidity and fine, powdery, graphite–flecked tannins that give a long, sinewy, savoury finish. It’s tightly coiled now and built to age beautifully through to the late 2030s.

Food–wise, MMAD Shiraz 2023 is superb with roast lamb, rib–eye, beef short ribs or slow–cooked lamb shoulder, where that dark fruit, spice and mineral tannin really shine. It will also sing alongside grilled mushrooms, hard cheeses or a rich eggplant and lentil braise, making this a benchmark modern McLaren Vale shiraz to tuck into the cellar or pour for a serious dinner.