2018 Ekhidna The Drifter Shiraz

Matt Rechner began at Tatachilla Winery, then honed his skills at Geyser Peak Winery in Sonoma Valley. Returning to Australia, he created the Linchpin in 2001 and launched Ekhidna Wines in 2003. Winning "Best Australian Shiraz" in 2006, Matt is now renowned for his minimal intervention philosophy.

2018 The Drifter Shiraz, also known as The Back Block Shiraz. This single vineyard wine, selected from the finest barrels of the vintage, showcases the unique terroir on McLaren Vale's eastern edge. Dark ruby red, it offers aromas of chocolate mint, baked raspberries, and cinnamon spice. The medium-bodied palate features fresh raspberry, redcurrant, and strawberry flavours, with hints of chocolate, mint, and smoky oak, culminating in a focused, long finish with fine-grained tannins.

"Due to shipment and lying in barrels, the wine was doomed to be forgotten. After tasting the wine, we concluded that this shiraz needed a label. It had everything going for it and deserved to be presented. It is a single-vineyard wine from the eastern border of McLaren Vale, which is distinguished by sandstone and deep alluvial soil. The fruit absorbed the finest French oak and spent a significant period of time on skins, giving it vitality and bounce. There's plenty of mocha vanilla, but also iodine, grilled meats, anise, and blueberry. Creamy in the mid-palate, with a burst of freshness and some sinewy, woodsy oak tannins guiding it to delightful length."  - Adam Thomas