Bondar Rayner Vineyard Shiraz 2020

Bondar Rayner Vineyard Shiraz is a limited release drawn from the two oldest Shiraz blocks on the estate.

The 1947 planting is dry-grown on deep sand flecked with ironstone, and it supplies the fragrance and the elegant frame. The 1950 block sits on shallow clay over limestone and supplies the bones — structure wrapped around the prettier flesh. Natural ferment with roughly 20 per cent whole bunches, eighteen months in mostly older French hogsheads with only five per cent new oak, then bottling unfined and unfiltered. Yields from these vines fell by nearly half for the second consecutive year, which concentrates everything, and old-vine McLaren Vale Shiraz handled this gently rarely needs help from wood.

Depth and structure, certainly, but the creaminess at the heart of it comes with real levity and drive. Decant briefly and serve at 16 to 17 degrees. Char-grilled sirloin, slow-cooked beef ribs, or a plate of aged cheddar and quince.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.