2021 Ares Barossa Valley Shiraz

Colour | Deep black with a mulberry edge

Aroma | Initial notes of raspberry conserve and icing sugar lend a delicate sweetness, which is quickly grounded by earthy undertones and a thread of dried herbs. Blackberries and blood plum form the dense fruit core, while accents of aniseed and clove introduce spice and lift.

Palate | The palate is powerful yet composed, showcasing the pedigree of the 2021 vintage. There's an immediate impact of black fruits, blackberry, plum skin, and mulberry wrapped around a core of spicy oak and dried wild herbs. The wine has a sense of movement; a strong frame, yet supple and sinuous. Tannins are a highlight here, silky, talcy, and beautifully slippery, gliding across the palate with a graphite-like finesse. There's latent power throughout, but it’s carried with such grace and fluidity, the mouthfeel feels almost weightless. A cool mineral line pulses through the finish, which is long, dry, and impeccably balanced. Ares 2021 is a commanding yet elegant Barossa Shiraz, shaped by an outstanding vintage. Its structure and detail suggest immense aging potential, but its poise and seamless texture make it compelling even in its youth.

The 2021 Barossa Valley growing season was exceptional, with nature delivering balance at every stage. Generous rain from August through October replenished soil moisture, while mild, even conditions in November and December supported strong shoot growth and trouble-free flowering. Summer remained remarkably moderate, with only one day above 40°C. A perfectly timed rain in late February refreshed the vines and sustained a long, unhurried ripening period. Shiraz berries remained small to moderate, building concentrated flavour while retaining freshness, acidity and fine tannin. Harvest progressed steadily through March and into April, producing beautifully balanced, expressive fruit.

Winemaking | Crushed and de-stemmed into open top tanks, fermented on skins for 14 days and pressed once dry. All free run juice and pressings were combined in tank and then racked off gross lees into barrel to go through malolatic fermantation. The wine was bottled with minimum fining and no filtration.

Maturation | 18 months in 50% new French puncheons. 3 barrels produced, bottled in late 2023.

CLOSURE | DIAM Cork
VARIETAL | Shiraz
REGION | Barossa Valley
ALCOHOL (% vol.) | 14.3%

Halliday Wine Companion
96 points
Dave Brookes
Published 17 February 2026

"Deep magenta/crimson with wonderfully pure aromas of damson plum, blackberry and black cherry fruits. Hints of baking spices, cedar, dark chocolate, roasting meats, violets, panforte, olive tapenade, espresso and earth. Classic Barossa fruit weight and flavours but more contemporary and of the times, with an increased detail, fine, powdery tannins and plenty of sustain and energy on the lingering finish. A super release of this wine from a very strong vintage."