Jim Barry, The Armagh Shiraz, Clare Valley 2016

My pick of the recently bottled vintages, the 2016 The Armagh Shiraz shows a bit more obvious oak simply because of its youth) but also a wonderful taut tension between ripeness and acidity. The fruit here is a bit redder in profile, leaning more toward raspberries than blackberries, while still being fully ripe. Full-bodied and supple, it finishes cedary, intense and long, adding in complex, lingering spice notes. 2021-2040.

Delivers the fragrant wet earth and raspberry leaf edge that makes Shiraz such a poetic grape in the right hands, and in the right place. As it deepens through the mid palate, this is pure raspberry and plum puree, joyful plump fruit overlaid with peach pits, charred sandalwood and dark chocolate, mouthwatering finish. A lovely wine, subtle yet powerful, you can drink now or wait and allow it to keep ageing in bottle. Submerged cap for maceration, fermentation 18-22C for around 10 days, 20% American oak the last vintage to use any) and the rest French oak, at around 65% new in 300l hogshead size.

Drink 2022 to 2040.