Agricola 'Theel's Handfibel' Shiraz 2022

Winemaker... Callum Powell

"A blend of sites and Barossa locations, Hoffmann Dallwitz and Dimchurch Home Old plus the Asbroek Kalimna Old Vines site. A lot of firepower in that make up. The label is an homage to the 19th century alphabet chart ‘Theel’s Handfibel’ “which was unearthed some years ago at the Barossa Archives and its font has since been used to communicate place on the other labels”. Beautifully set, fresher feeling rendition of Barossa shiraz though there is no scrimping on the intensity and concentration here. Quite a bit of ripe and stewed plum, black olive tapenade, sweet earthiness, charred-sweet spice, anise, game meat, cocoa powder and crushed rock – what a ride! It’s a rich, rambunctious red of incredible flesh and yet sinew too. Tannins are stellar, if not a bit nebbiolo-like in their succulence and trim. It sloshes into the palate then finds a muscular flex, a cool yet somewhat game meaty finish, a load of dried herbs in there likewise. Cornucopia of things going on, all meshed so well. Whoa! 96pts."
Mike Bennie, The Wine Front