Cunning Plan Shiraz, McLaren Vale

I’m shocked to see the low ratings here… as I blinded this as Australian Shiraz and leaned towards McLaren vale because of the acidity. Someone below stated they wouldn’t pin this as MCL and idk how ? Maybe it just needed more time tbh because these reviews don’t even seem closely aligned with what I’m tasting and I’m WSET 3 and certified Sommolier level 2 certified. Sight: Deep purple with heavy staining Nose: Gobs of crushed blackberries, blueberry pie filling, …

Medium purple, punchy black and red fruits on the nose - sense of jam, lifted floral. Way more conservative on the palate - fruit is mellow, more delicate, little chalky. Medium, fine tannin. It's a nice balanced wine - though I wouldn't necessarily have picked it as a McLaren Vale on a blind tasting.

WC Blind tasting training (Papanastassiou Woods) : The wine shows bright red fruit, loads of herbal notes too, the oak lies in the back, a bit warm, tight core. Palate shows highly extracted profile, concentrated, warmth (14.50%), black berry fruit, ripe, fruit in alcohol, med to high acidity, med finish

Don’t buy again - just ok

Australia Trade Tasting (Lindley Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls) : Big bold juicy flavours, black fruit, med body, palate juicy, nice texture, med tannins, fresh, a touch warm

Thistledown tasting, Down under wines portfolio (Oinoscent) : Stainless steel fermentation, then ageing in 300L French, 10%-20% new The wine shows a different side of Grenache, black fruit, plum, firm frame, some spice notes way in the back Palate showing warmth, black fruit, crunchy, juicy bold tannins, plums/prunes, currants, dusty big tannins, med body and long finish As Baldrick used to say “I got a cunning plan my lord … !!!”

Deep purple in the glass. Lots of brambly fruit aroma. Jammy blackberry, raspberry, and black pepper. Pretty robust, full mouthfeel.

A little tight right now but it is only a pup. After a good decant it opened up. Smooth velvet tannins, black & blue fruits and good acid. Needs a few years for it to show properly though