Wakefield, Clare Valley (South Australia) “St Andrews” Shiraz 2022 ($80)

This is a big, bold Shiraz, but perhaps not in the sense that everyone would read that description. It is quite concentrated and yet doesn’t come across as physically “thick,” and though it offers intense flavor impact on the palate, it isn’t oaky or over-ripe or lacking for freshness as a counterpoint to its intensity. This producer isn’t as widely known around the USA as the wines merit, and I rarely see them where I live on the East Coast, but they are worth a search — wherever you need to search.
96 Michael Franz