I’ve been landscaping my front yard.  It’s been a long time coming it must be said.  It was similar to so many other front yards in our cul-de-sac but a lot messier.  It needed something and it finally got it.  I have given it its own personality, its own individualism, its own standoutishness (another word with a red squiggly line under it).  I stuck with some of the usuals for the area, like conifers and Australian natives (to attract the abundant bird life we have) but I added difference to the expected in our neighbourhood.  Yes it has ‘structure’ but it also has natural elements.  Yes it has conformity but it also has wild elements.  Put this all together and it just seems to work (even if I do say so myself).

This Shiraz, from the dab hands of Michael Papps, is similar to my (new) front garden.  It has similar traits to others in the neighbourhood, however, Michael has added personality, individualism, and plenty of natural and wild elements to this wine making it stand out in a damn good way!

Breathe in deep after you pour it into your glass because you will be greeted with an abundance of berries and spice and a smidge of herbs.  It’s a delightful start!  Once you’ve finished with the swirling and sniffing, and take your time with that, move on and treat your palate to the same sensory experience.  Right from the outset I could tell there’s terrific fruit, and it hung around like forever over your tongue.  But wait, there’s more. It was like the texture and lovely smooth tannins moved in and latched onto the fruit for the nice, easy long ride to the finish.  This is good!  Really good!!

Region: Barossa Valley, SA     Price: $45     Source: Sample thanks heaps to Yelland & Papps