Wakefield / Taylors, Clare Valley (South Australia) Shiraz 2020

 Generations of consumers have been baffled by the Clare Valley’s ability to produce some of the world’s best dry Rieslings while also serving as the source for big, powerful bottlings of Shiraz such as this.  The question can’t be answered in a brief review, but this wine serves the purpose of setting the issue clearly, as this packs terrific palate intensity with fruit notes recalling blackberries and black raspberries that are remarkably persistent through the finish.  Still somehow fresh despite its power, this is an object lesson in the Clare’s capacity to produce beauty in balance.