2018 2% Shiraz

"This steps into a complex, rich zone with dark chocolate, plum, blackberry and cocoa nibs, as well as a violet and blueberry edge. The palate has really bold, deep-set dark-plum, blackberry and chocolate flavors. Rich flavors hold so long and even. Great proportion and fruit-derived complexity here with parcels from roughly one-third each of Ebenezer, Greenock and Seppeltsfield and 2% muscatel in the blend (hence the name). Drink or hold."
96 points - James Suckling

"Ripe and fleshy, with details of mesquite, cedar, black pepper and sweet paprika complementing the black cherry, spiced plum and blueberry flavors. Muscular tannins firm up on the finish, turning spicy. Drink now through 2030."
93 points - Wine Spectator

First Drop's reserve Shiraz is sourced from vineyards in Seppeltsfield, Greenock and Ebenezer. Dense, earthy dark berry fruits, with hints of tobacco and cocoa are further enhanced by subtle use of oak. This wine has been matured in a combination new and old French oak hogsheads and American oak barriques for 20-24 months, resulting in a sexy, textured palate. And who’s 2%? Moscatel! Just to add a splash of funk.

First Drop Winery was founded in 2004. Matt ‘Gantos’ Gant and John ‘JR’ Retsas, approached the world of fashionable wines with the serious desire to make wines to appreciate. They follow the philosophy that their wines should be open and approachable by everybody, requiring absolutely no knowledge to love.
Straightaway they knew they were torn between their love of typical Aussie styles (i.e Barossa Shiraz) and a love of diversity. hence their brilliant inclusion of Italian, Spanish and Portuguese grapes into their wines. This looking like too complex a decision to make – they decided to make both. To do this, they work with superb fruit from Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Barossa, selecting vineyards for different grapes after intense microclimate research.

Fast forward to now, they are one of the most vibrant and expressive wineries in Australia, and we are more than happy to be importing them again. From their superb Mother’s Milk and Mother’s Ruin benchmark Barossa wines, to the exciting and different Touriga-Nacional examples to the Italian stars using Nebbiolo and Montepulciano to great effect, there are wines here for everybody.