Classic Barossa Shiraz with intense savoury flavours of thick blackberry compote, black pepper and typical iron-rich beefy flavours. Not a hint of jam here, no sweetness, this is serious shiraz for grown-ups with balanced acidity, fine velvety tannins and tremendous length.

Germans were the first free immigrants into Australia in the 1850s onwards. They planted Shiraz in Barossa. Germans also invented letter-press in the 1500s.The suspicion around the “magick” of a printing press at the coupled with the inky hands of the printers meant that the art became known as the Black Craft. The wine is an homage to both the German influence of the oldest wine making in Australia, as well as the letterpress.

We are very proud to be associated with Smalltown Vineyards (formerly known as Magpie Estate) of the Barossa Valley - for our first proper foray into the Barossa we could not have been associated with a more compelling producer.

Smalltown Vineyards is based on 42 hectares of prime sandy loam in the Barossa Valley’s premium Ebenezer District, specifically the highly sought-after Kalimna blocks producing world class reds. Working with other vineyard sites in the Barossa and Eden Valleys to express this uniquely magical corner of the world. Winemakers Rolf Binder and Christa Deans craft superb expressions of the region in their small, hands-on winery in Tanunda. We have a lot of fun with labels because, well because we can. It’s only wine after all…

This Shiraz is sourced from the finest available vineyard sites across the premium Northern Barossa Valley including for the most part Greenock, Western Ridge and Ebenezer.

Aged 11 months in a variety of oaks, all American and French, new and old, around 35% new. It has 5% Petite Sirah in the blend too which gives the wine structure and added spice. All oaks were AP John, Barossa coopered. As usual with Magpie it was fermented in open fermenters, we don’t set the blades too close together during crushing so a fair bit of whole berry in the ferment which gives the wine generous fruit and soft tannins.

As the name implies, black is the key - anything chargrilled would be superb here so think griddle pans and barbecues!