Cape Barren Old Vine Shiraz 2022 from Cape Barren in McLaren Vale is a plush, old‑vine Vale shiraz loaded with dark fruit and chocolate, built for full‑throttle flavour with a bit of old‑school generosity. This Cape Barren Old Vine Shiraz 2022 leads with inky plum, blackberry and black cherry, wrapped in dark chocolate, mocha and warm spice, all drawn from seriously mature dry‑grown vines.

On the palate it is lavishly rich, with waves of ripe black fruits and sweet berry‑choc flavour reined in by fine tannins and tight‑grained oak, giving a grainy, textural feel that balances the lush fruit. Full‑bodied, warm and hedonistic, it sits in that “big‑hearted McLaren Vale shiraz” zone, with enough structure and depth to see it comfortably through a decade in the cellar if you can resist it that long.

For food, Cape Barren Old Vine Shiraz 2022 begs for rich, slow‑cooked dishes – think beef cheeks, lamb shanks, smoky brisket, sticky pork ribs or a mushroom and black‑bean stew. The intense black‑fruit core, mocha and vanilla‑spice notes love char, fat and umami, making this a brilliant bottle for winter feasts or any night you want a big, comforting red to anchor the table.