- Winery: Scarborough Wine Co
- Wine Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
- Variety: Shiraz
- Vintage: 2018
- Price: $30
- Find it: From the winery direct and retailers nationwide
- Alcohol content: 13.5%
- You’ll like this if: You like a savoury Shiraz
- Body: Full
- Mouthfeel: Rich
- Taste: Savoury, Complex, Balanced
- Flavours: Cherry, Spice, Leather
- Enjoy it with: a winter-warming meal
- Food pairings: Braised beef
Wine review: Scarborough Black Label Shiraz 2018
With Shiraz Day coming up this week, it’s the perfect excuse to enjoy some good Australian Shiraz. The Barossa Valley may be known worldwide for its Shiraz, but regions like the Hunter Valley are also famous for their expressions of the grape. And the Scarborough Black Label Shiraz 2018 is a great wine to try if you want something delicious to celebrate the day with. Or if you just want a tasty food pairing wine! The Black Label Shiraz exemplifies the savoury style of Shiraz that the Hunter Valley is known for, so is perfect for exploring other styles of Australian Shiraz beyond the Barossa Valley.
On the nose, the Scarborough Black Label Shiraz 2018 has lovely notes of cherry and spice, with a hint of toasty oak. Dive into the glass and you find that cherry note along with an almost stewed blackberry note. This is balanced nicely by cinnamon spice, and a lovely earthy characteristic on the finish along with that leather note Hunter Valley is renowned for. This wine is complex with plenty to unpack, yet nicely balanced. It’s got a deliciously long finish with a palate that gives and gives. From start to finish this wine is simply delightful, and perfect for pairing with a winter roast.
About Scarborough Wine Co
Scarborough was created from blood, sweat, tears and several glasses of Chardonnay, so it seems fitting to enjoy their wine on International Chardonnay Day. In the 60’s Ian ‘Scarbie’ Scarborough met Merralea in the Barossa Valley. Three years later they married and then moved to the Hunter Valley to make it their home. By the end of the 70’s they purchased the Gillards Road Property to start their own wine company.
They decided their vision for the future rested on Chardonnay and got rid of all the Shiraz previously planted there. The first vintage was in 1987 and the small amount of wine was made in the garage of the house where the cellar door is today.
Fast forward to today where Scarborough Wine Co. is an established name amongst the finest in the Hunter Valley and a must-visit cellar door. They’ve expanded beyond Chardonnay to Pinot along with plenty of new varieties like their iconic Shiraz.
You can purchase this wine from Scarborough Wine Co website.
Note: This wine was sent as a sample.