Hidden Hill Estate McLaren Vale Shiraz, 2021

 As Australian wines have gone up in price, inexpensive Aussie Shiraz rarely shows up on the shelves of  Trader Joe's. This, Hidden Hills Estate, recently appeared, though, with a $5.99 price tag. It is well worth it.

The label cites McLaren Vale, which is a good appellation, but grapes for this wine actually come from Fleurieu, a peninsula jutting into the ocean halfway between McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek. The climate there is relatively cool, a good thing for Shiraz, in my opinion.

Deep and dark, bluish tints. Black raspberries, blackberries, anise with a , generous touch of black pepper, dark chocolate and coffee. A bold wine but with good acidity and moderate alcohol (14.5%). Drier than many Barossa Shiraz wines. Tannins are present on the mid-palate and finish but cause no problem with hearty, spicy foods.