2021 Mystery Barossa Valley Shiraz Deal No. 56

97 POINTS

Sam Kim - Wine Orbit

It’s opulent with stunning purity as well as complexity, showing dark and purple fruit richness together with cedary oak, mixed spice and mocha nuances on the nose. The powerfully concentrated palate delivers outstanding depth and richness, wonderfully supported by silky texture and seamlessly woven grainy tannins. It’s dense yet refined, bold yet sophisticated with a sustained engaging finish.

96 POINTS

Steve Leszczynski - QWine

This is plush and oh-so heavenly. A superb Barossa Shiraz. Never heard of <redacted>? I suggest you introduce yourself… Swirl the glass and it’s not hard to conclude that you have something special in hand. The gentle caress, the beautiful momentum it builds, this is seamless. Dark chocolate, mulberries and blackberry pastilles – what an opening. Drying, waves of fruit lap at your feet. Earthy, some pan juices with dried herbs keep purring, it’s dead smooth and seductively silky. Cocoa like tannins have the last word and invite you back for more. Yes please!

95 POINTS

Patrick Eckel

<Redacted> is one of the most impressive new wineries I have enjoyed from the Barossa in recent years and the 2021 is a truly modern representation of one of Australia’s most renowned regions with layers of fruit the star, with oak very much a secondary influence. The colour which is a purple to red suggests there was a large proportion of whole berry fermentation which also gives such pure and floral aromatics of plum and black cherry with some background fennel and spice. The palate has vibrant red and black fruits with a web of fine tannins that has more of a cocoa and fresh earth influence; there is a suggestion of liquorice and acidity is perfectly poised to provide vibrancy now and a long term cellaring prospect. Wonderful purity of plum to finish.

95 POINTS

Ken Gargett - WinePilot.com

The fruit used from this vineyard for this wine might vary a little each year as the decision is made based on what comes up trumps (if one may use that word in accordance with its former and non-controversial meaning). Similar process for this wine as for the <redacted>, though with fermentation just ten days and 25% of the oak new. Opaque purple/magenta hue. Saturated flavours throughout, a classic Barossa Shiraz. Intense, with some serious extract, notes of chocolate, smoked meats, mocha, licorice, cassis and more. Powerful, brooding and coiled, it is lovely now but there is every indication that this wine will emerge in all its glory, even more impressive, in time. Has ten years and more for that. Dense, fine silky tannins, great length and good acidity. When I looked back at my notes for the 2020, I was a little surprised to see I had ranked it even higher, but I am sure that given time, this will be a case of the tortoise and the hare and the ’21 is likely to top it in time.

95 POINTS

Dave Brookes - Halliday's Wine Companion

Moppa-sourced shiraz from a very strong vintage. A small percentage of whole bunches, matured for 14 months in French hogsheads (25% new). Bright purple red in the glass with violet-dusted satsuma plum and blackberry fruits cut with baking spices, earth, licorice, rum and raisin chocolate, charcuterie, espresso and warm earth. The tannins are compact, perhaps lacking the resolution of last year's release but this will rectify with time in bottle. Another great release.