The 2018 Old Bastard Shiraz was birthed of a year of excellent ripeness and vitality. The fruit was handpicked from old vines in Nuriootpa, planted in 1893. This was matured 19 months in 35% new French oak barriques and bottled unfined and unfiltered. On the nose, the wine is ripe (although not necessarily reflected in the moderate alcohol of 14.5%) and redolent with poached plums, aniseed, dark chocolate, roast beetroot and blood. The vanillin oak (not a term I find myself using anymore, but the fresh pod character here is clear) sits astride the fruit at this stage, suggesting that further time is required for it to ameliorate as one. The fruit is pure and more delicate than I was expecting—the redness of the vintage shines bright. The plus sign in the score indicates it will improve, I believe. Give it five.