d'Arenberg Vintage Fortified Shiraz

The wine opens to lush aromas of fruitcake, spice and plum pudding, topped off with melted butter and brandy snaps on the side. It’s a rich and heady mix, embracing and warming, just waiting for the chill of night and an open fire. The fine, low-strength brandy spirit plays a wonderful supporting role – selected for its ‘tails’ character, all juniper berries, spice and fruit and ‘hearts’ – roses and apricots and brings warmth and richness to the wine. The palate is dense and layered, the tannins chewy and mouth filling interwoven with rich, ripe dark fruits – figs, plums, star anise, licorice, cloves and candied citrus peel. There’s line and length from the acid and tannin backbone, leaving the finish long, clean and fresh. This wine will build further complexing characters as it ages and will reward extended cellaring.