Laughing Jack Shiraz 2022

This perennial overachiever is sourced mainly from the Kalleske family’s Greenock, Moppa Hill and Marananga vineyards. This 2022 comprises 67% Greenock fruit, with 17% from Marananga and 16% Moppa. The combination of soils―red-brown earth over deep red clay in Greenock, clay and shale in Marananga and sand over clay and quartz with ironstone in Moppa―brings balance and a unique Laughing Jack expression. The fruit was 100% destemmed and transferred to various open-top fermenters (three, five and eight tonne). The wine was plunged by hand twice a day. The wine matured in oak barrels for 20 months―5% new French and 3% new American, with the balance seasoned French (55%) and American (37%).

It's another excellent release from Shawn & his team; South Australian Shiraz in their hands is a thing of beauty. Dark-fruited and spicy with a full, smooth, generous palate and a long, flavoursome close. It offers far more than one should expect from this style and price—an easy decision if you’re looking for a good-value regional classic.

"Some great-value drinking here with shiraz sourced from 64/28/8% Greenock/Moppa Hill/Marananga, matured for 20 months in French and American oak. It's a traditionally framed Barossa shiraz with juicy plum, blackberry and dark cherry fruits over hints of oak spice, licorice, fruitcake, dark chocolate, olive tapenade, violets and earth. Tight, fine-grained tannins support, with some nice fresh acidity and some decent sustain on the back end." 91pts | Dave Brooks | Halliday Wine Companion