Loads of brambleberries and dried elderberries are framed against dried meat, bark, vanilla, mocha and dark chocolate. Plush yet energetic on the palate, this weaves round, chewy and decadent tannins and runs them through a luxurious tapestry of dark fruit. Drink now or hold. Screw cap.

The 2011 Woodcutters Shiraz doesn’t miss a beat in this difficult vintage. Deep garnet-purple colored, it is scented of cassis, black plums and macerated blackberries over nuances of charcoal, black pepper, smoked duck breast and violets. Full-bodied and packed with black berry and savory meat and mineral flavors, it is nicely poised in the mouth with a taut backbone of medium level rounded tannins and just enough acid, finishing with a good persistence of pepper and spice notes. Drink this one now to 2018+. - RP