Grant Burge Meshach Shiraz 2019

Stuart McCloskey, tasted 11 June 2026 “The colour alone hints at the concentration within. Deep crimson-purple, almost opaque at its core, glossy, and so inviting…

The bouquet is captivating from the outset and remarkably layered. Blackberry and blueberry compote, plum, damson, black cherry and a subtle saline edge billow from the glass, intertwined with liquorice, dark chocolate, espresso bean and fragrant exotic spice. As the wine unfurls, deeper notes emerge - crushed violets, cedar, graphite, warm earth and an unmistakable ironstone character that speaks of ancient vines and southern Barossa soils. A fleeting suggestion of dried orange peel dance across the aromatics before disappearing, drawing you back for another contemplative swirl and sniff. Give the wine twenty minutes in the glass and another dimension begins to emerge. For me, it is one of the most compelling aspects of great, Aussie Shiraz. A subtle kelp and marine character drifts into view. It gets me every time…

Flavour and texture: The fruit possesses extraordinary density, yet the wine feels anything but heavy. Layers of dark berries, blueberry, plum preserve, and black forest fruits sweep across the palate before yielding to notes of cocoa, mocha, star anise and sweet tobacco. The concentration is immense, but perfectly controlled. What impresses most is the balance. For all its power, there is remarkable freshness and energy coursing through the wine. Fine-grained tannins, polished rather than aggressive, provide an architectural framework that carries the fruit effortlessly across an extraordinarily long finish. Every component feels measured, every detail in harmony. This is not a blockbuster Barossa Shiraz (I am sorry, I do not like them). This is something far more impressive. A wine of authority, refinement and precision.

Even at this youthful stage, the quality is impossible to miss. The old-vine pedigree, the brilliance of the 2019 vintage, great, instinctive winemaking from Craig Stansborough, and the cooler southern Barossa origins combine to create a wine of remarkable poise and sophistication.

The finish lingers for well over a minute, leaving behind notes of dark chocolate, black fruits, spice, crushed stone and a subtle floral perfume that refuses to fade. A magnificent Meshach. Drink from now (decant for an hour or two) and cellar confidently for the next two decades. Please consider the serving temperature. Yes, pedantic, I know, however keep it on the cooler side (please). Drink now and cellar for 20-years!”