2024 Xanadu Fortified Shiraz

This feels pretty pitch perfect for the style. Lots of Black Forest cake characters married to clove and cinnamon spice, liquid fig and date, touches of caramel and a freshness and clean line through it all. While decidedly dense and sticky, the richness of the fortified wine is well balanced in its elements and delivers a great sipping experience with successful moreish-ness. Well done, Xanadu.

Deepest purple from core to rim. Blueberry, pepper and mountain herb aromas. Powerful and dense on entry, plums and blueberries sit with and undertone of bitter mountain herbs. Sweetness is obvious but there’s a swathe of tannins that flow through to ensure balance into the finish. Enjoyable now but you would be well rewarded by showing patience and cellaring it for the long term.