Saltram S2 Southeast Australia Shiraz, 2019

This seemed like the ultimate Aussie Shiraz bargain when I spotted it at Trader Joes for $3.99. The story was that large quantities of this wine were headed to China but cut off by trade restrictions. Trader Joe's bought the lot at a bargain. I appreciated the price but have not been so happy with the product.

Medium dark ruby. Very short cork--the first ominous sign. Forward fruit, blackberries and plums, but the fruit is from Southeast Australia and clearly not from high quality vineyards..Not much concentration or depth of flavor. Medium tannin but not enough acidity to give flavor interest. 

Saltram has a high reputation in Australia, but I don't find this to be one of their best efforts.