The Dead Arm Shiraz

OK, so this is a beast of a wine. I mean full on faceplanting-a-bramble-bush fruity but it’s got layers of other flavours too. Smoky oak, sweet spice and mocha among them. Made by a top notch producer in the McLaren Vale, winemaker Chester Osborn saves the best Shiraz from his vineyards for this blend. The wine gets its name thanks to a vine condition that kills one arm of the vine, so concentrating the fruit on the other arm. Break this one out if there’s beef on the table and save some for the strong, hard cheeses too. Oh, and the Quality Street obviously.