SubRosa 2016 Malakoff Estate Pyrenees Shiraz

Mike Bennie

I could have accepted this release as ‘SubRosa Syrah 2016’, but no, no, this is Shiraz with a capital ‘S’ from Malakoff Vineyard in Pyrenees. Adam Louder, winemaker, knows his turf. Anyway, if you haven’t cottoned onto SubRosa, you should. You’ll be thanking yourself down the trail when these start commanding higher prices and generally being difficult to find. No doubt.

Svelte, seamless, succulent wine. Dark cherry, sarsaparilla, lavish spice scents, with all this doubling back into the palate. It slips softly over the palate leaving a slick of that spice and blackcurrant fruit character, with tannins just gently holding shape. If you like ‘syrah’, let’s say, with some concentration, this is excellent.

Rated: 95 Points
Alcohol: 14.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Drink: 2018 – 2030

Reviewed: 21 December, 2018

James Halliday

Hand-picked, matured for 16 months in French oak, only 80 dozen made. The colour is much lighter than expected, and it’s on the lighter side of medium-bodied – but it’s well balanced, expressing its variety and region, its fruit spicy and juicy. And yes, it’s a great drink.

Drink by: 2031

Reviewed: March 2019