Eight at the Gate Family Selection Shiraz 2021 from Wrattonbully is a deep‑purple, full‑bodied Shiraz that screams proper South Aussie red – dense, powerful and polished, the pinnacle of the Eight at the Gate range. It’s drawn from a “goldilocks” vintage and raised in French and American hogsheads for 24 months, so everything feels deliberate and beautifully put together.

On the nose, Eight at the Gate Family Selection Shiraz 2021 shows dark cherries, blue fruits, mulberry, stewed fruits and satsuma plum, all balanced over charry, elegant French oak. The palate is a rich tapestry of ripe blackcurrant, raspberry, cherry and blackberry jam, with black olive, iodine, graphite, tobacco and leather notes wrapped in fine, powdery, espresso‑like tannins for a long, velvety finish. It’s medium to full in weight, spicy and peppery with sumac lift, and delivers impressive fruit power without feeling clumsy.

Food‑wise, this 2021 Family Selection Shiraz is made for barbequed Texas‑style beef brisket, big grilled steaks, lamb shanks, rich stews and hearty burgers – anything meaty that matches its dark‑fruit grunt and savoury complexity. It’s also excellent with hard cheeses or a slow‑cooked beef ragu, giving you a serious Wrattonbully Shiraz to anchor winter dinners and special occasions.