Rusden ‘School Days’ Shiraz 2022 from Vine Vale in the Barossa is a bright, juicy Shiraz–Viognier that oozes old‑school charm, packed with rich dark fruits yet sitting in a really approachable, medium‑bodied frame that’s built for generous, everyday drinking. The nose is all boysenberry, cherry‑ripe, Turkish delight and a hint of pencil shavings, giving a lovely mix of fruit and savoury lift.

On the palate, Rusden School Days Shiraz 2022 rolls out violet, clove and blackberry with hallmark Vine Vale stone‑fruit flesh and gentle apricot tones from the Viognier component, all carried on plush fruit and velvet‑like tannins. There’s good focus and grip without heaviness, and lingering cherry‑ripe and dark‑fruit flavours on a smooth, long finish that makes each glass feel moreish rather than tiring

Food‑wise, Rusden ‘School Days’ Shiraz 2022 is made for pub‑style comfort food – schnitzel, steak sangas, burgers, bangers and mash, pizza and mid‑week roasts where its generous fruit and soft structure really shine. It will only get better with a few years in the cellar, but it’s drinking beautifully right now as a relaxed, fleshy Barossa red that still carries a touch of savoury definition.