It glows with its own black light. It shimmers and oscillates between fruit luminescence and plush tannic texture, and in doing so, it barely contains its own energy and abundance. The distinction between this profusion of fruit and the old "fruit bombs" of yore is the precision of acid and pliable fruit tannin that defines the middle palate and the ability of the fruit (courtesy of the winemaking) to shine through the vessels in which it matured. The tannin that shapes the wine is plentiful, make no mistake, yet it is ductile and fine and threads through every aspect of the palate. A thrilling Schubert this year, it's like a strike of lightning on a dark night. This wine appeals most fervently to my penchant for freshness, energy and resonant bass line.

The 2021 The Schubert Theorem Shiraz was made with fruit from the Roennenfeldt Road vineyard, in Marananga, with 70% whole bunches in the ferment. The northeastern corner of this vineyard is matured in concrete egg to preserve the blue-fruited core that defines the style of this wine; it is the only cuvée that features an alternate maturation vessel. I knew (before and) when I tasted the 2019 and 2020 vintages what I was going to get, by and large. When I was in the Barossa in June 2021, I was already thinking about what the S(more...)

Six parcels of shiraz picked and fermented separately, from Roennfeldt Road in Marananga, each with its own nuance contributing to the final blend. Pure blackberry from the north, plums from the southern end, white pepper from the flat section and the gorgeous blue fruits from the north-eastern corner. It is a stunning wine of great balance, detail and complexity. I used to call this 'Darth Schubert' when I lived in the Barossa due to its label. I think Dan liked that. At least he laughed. Intensely coloured with a head-spinning purity to its fruit profile, it's a hell of a wine from a cracking vintage. Beautifully composed and crackling with energy and vitality despite its opulent fruit profile. Tannins wide, commanding and powder fine fade slowly back into the lush ironstone-dusted blue fruits. It's epic.

My word, what an intense purple beast this wine is. Dark cherry, blackberry, liquorice, exotic spice and wafts of incense perfume, dark chocolate and coffee. It's full-bodied, insanely concentrated and powerful, purple and black fruit, toast and liquorice, a mass of rich sooty black tea tannin, rippling with fresh picked blackberry acidity, scorched peanuts, and a massive black fruit and tannic finish. Kind of earthy and ferrous too. So much flavour. So much tannin. The level of concentration here is almost painful as a young wine. It saturates the palate. It takes no prisoners. I love tannin, but I'd suggest leaving this alone for maybe a decade. 2029-2045+