2016 Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz Cellar Release

96 POINTS

James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion

This is no pushover in the company of The Armagh, and it's a whole lot easier to enjoy, even though the day for each is long off. Here the fruits are rounder, the tannins following suit - even touches of red/purple fruits here. Once again, a wine to be respected. And enjoyed.

94 POINTS

James Suckling

There’s a vibrant red-fruit core and this has such impressive depth and structure with a vibrant, lightly spicy plum palate, as well as dark berries. Fluid palate with a rich and assertive core of raspberries and red plums. Full body.

92 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

Och aye, the alcohol levels increasingly getting more wee in the Jim Barry red wines. Our Mike has Scottish heritage, and while you’d expect with a name like Campbell, his forebears may well have tossed the old caber in their time, apparently that’s not the case. I’ve only English and Irish (as far as I know). I do tell my kids I’m secretly Italian, of course. “YOU ARE NOT ITALIAN, DAD” (roll eyes emoticon). Dark fruit, walnut and wheatgerm, dried mint, toasty and spicy. It’s medium to full-bodied, nutty and tightly packed with tannin, salted beef and spice, fresh blackberry acidity, and a firm long finish. Good shape and intensity. It could do with a few more years in bottle to let it unfurl.

90 POINTS

Joe Czerwinski - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Jim Barry's 2016 The McRae Wood Shiraz is a blend of the best lots from Lodge Hill with declassified Armagh. It comes across as a bit old-fashioned next to offerings like The Barry Bros, but it will appeal to consumers looking for traditional, sturdy South Australian Shiraz at a realistic price. Mulberries and red currants join hints of cedar and cola spice in this firmly structured, medium to full-bodied wine that finishes in a wash of dusty tannins.

2022 - Decanter World Wine Awards

Nicely concentrated aromas of dark fruit, sweet spices and fresh crushed herbs. The palate has flavours of tapenade, plums and savoury fruit. Holding its age well. Award: Bronze - DWWA 2022