It’s SHIRAZ SATURDAY! We’ve stocked a trio of some of the best of the Outback in our STORE, with this beauty leading the charge.

It’s a gem of a find guaranteed to Shirazzle Dazzle, on this beautiful day presented by our very own beloved…

“Agent Shiraz here, G’day, Operatives, reporting for duty on the most important holiday of the year: Shiraz Saturday. I was raised deep in the Australian outback, where the kangaroos roam, the Vegemite flows, and every respectable household keeps a few bold reds within arm’s reach. Naturally, I was named after the grape, making me a fair-dinkum Shiraz man since I was knee-high to a wallaby. Today, we’re celebrating properly with one featured Shiraz and three highly rated beauties waiting in the Store, all at prices that would make even the stingiest bloke shout, ‘You little ripper!’ Grab a bottle, fire up the barbie, and join me in raising a glass to this bloody brilliant varietal.”

Thank you for that contribution, mate!

Back to the feature. The winery Wine Spectator loves just as much as we do “started in 1969, Mount Langi Ghiran, is known for its crisp, vibrant style of Victorian Shiraz.” With 96 points leading it, and a trio of 95s, the reviews below should leave your mouth watering. If not, check your pulse…

Wine Advocate has the background: “Mount Langi Ghiran is out there - literally. Its location in the heart of the Grampians is incredibly remote and has a far cooler growing season than many might imagine until you consider it is placed at an altitude of around 350 meters. Amongst the ancient granite mountains of this region, the vineyards were originally planted in 1964, establishing this estate as one of Australia’s leaders of cool climate Shiraz.”

Well, after much coaxing over the past couple of years, they FINALLY carved some more out. And this time it’s the 96-pointer with a righteous 40% off. Described as “magnificent… glorious,” and as if that’s not enough, with a trio of 95-point reviews to back it.

Mind you, though, this ain’t your big, bold, Barossa-style bruiser, rather an Hermitage in disguise, with a solid foot in the Northern Rhône, as an elegant, laced, florally lifted, freshly herbed, gloriously perfumy, ethereally gamey, and deeply peppered take on Shiraz. It was love at first sip for us, and it should be for you, too, lest you open your mind and palate to appreciate an outlier that stands alone. It may not come across as cheap at first, perhaps, but good, like finding a top Northern Rhône under $40.

Quite limited - as not much makes it to the US - with only one listing online!

96 Points – The Tasting Panel “If dark chocolate pushed up from the earth, surrounded by a garden of violets, then those would be the reasons for the perfume and taste profile of this magnificent red. Luscious and creamy, with white-peppered blue fruit and flowers, burnished with bacon fat and simmered in soy sauce. Glorious.”

95 Points – James Suckling “Vividly fragrant, featuring notes of black pepper and crushed dark fruit. It has a more pronounced tannin structure than is characteristic of Langi’s single vineyards. Tightly wound, it displays subtle blue fruit character and an austere, compact finish. While drinkable now, it will become significantly more expressive with some bottle age.”

95 Points – Winepilot “Sourced from blocks planted by Trevor Mast in the 1990s. Maturation in French barriques (40% new) for 15 months. It is a constant that Talus is immediately understated, elegant and yet it builds and builds in the glass. A brilliant and bright Shiraz shows the elegance and sleek style of this region. Lifted florals, acacia, sage, black pepper mix with dark berries and woodsy scented oak. Spicy cherry and plummy characters emerge on the nose with just a little black pepper character. The super fine and elegantly structured palate is the highlight. The spicy fruits with their lightly dried herb and bright berry characters are immediately captivating. Fine, chalky tannins and oak, of which 40% was new, strike a perfect supporting balance. The pepper factor, while supple and fresh, runs long and lingering. Terrific wine. Very MLG.”

95 Points – The Real Review “Dark red, inky and opaque in the glass. Lifted and heady aromas of blueberry, white pepper, Asian spice, sarsaparilla, tamari and boysenberry. Fleshy, juicy, plump and full of blue fruits, spice and creamy, nutmeggy oak. The tannins are firm and shapely and the acidity bright and crunchy. There’s lovely purity and poise here.”