Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz Cellar Release 375ml 2013

94 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

Yes, if you were wondering, I do prefer this to the 2012 Armagh. Red and black berries, nougat and coconut, mint, light earthiness and soy sauce savouries. It’s medium to full bodied, smooth and well balanced, even flow of mixed berry flavour, nutty oak, some savoury stuff, fine grained tannin, and a long lip smacking finish with a gentle churn of tannin keeping it real. Beautifully turned out. Delicious.

94 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - Halliday Wine Companion

Firm with tannin and alive with promise. It's not the brightest spark but deep pools of blackberried fruit and swirls of firm coffeed tannin make it a monty for sound future development.

93 POINTS

Jane Faulkner - Halliday Wine Companion

There must have been a lot of new oak used back in 2013, as it's still here among the mint and dark chocolate flavours. Still, it's moving easily through its tertiary stage with more savoury and new leather inputs. The tannins are softening out yet have some pull. It's certainly fresh and won't disappoint with a few more years cellaring, but start drinking now.

91 POINTS

Wine Spectator

Perfumed red and black fruit flavors have a licorice edge, with toast and dark chocolate details and plush, toothsome tannins.

91 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Deep garnet purple in color, the 2013 The McRae Wood Shiraz has a profound nose with black plums, berries and cherries, alongside spice box, violets, cedar and toast. Full, rich and chewy, though with slightly astringent tannins, the oak is poking out a bit and this wine needs some time.

91 POINTS

Josh Raynolds - Vinous

Opaque ruby. Dark berries, cherry cola, vanilla and a hint of licorice on the deeply perfumed nose. Broad and fleshy on entry, offering bitter cherry and blackberry flavors that become firmer with aeration. Picks up a spicy quality with air and finishes very long, sweet and smooth; harmonious tannins add shape and gentle grip.

90 POINTS

Joe Czerwinski - Wine Enthusiast

This medium-bodied shiraz is remarkably fresh and vibrant, deftly blending maple syrup and smoke with red berries, then easing into a firm, dusty finish. Drink now–2025.

90 POINTS

Jeremy Oliver

Overly oaky, with earthy, spicy and peppery aromas of red, blue and black berries slightly overwhelmed by cedar/chocolate influences. ItÕs velvet smooth, plush and polished, dripping with intense flavours of cassis, dark plums and blackberries but still rather dominated by mocha and coffee grounds oak. Give it time.