d'Arenberg Thunderstep Shiraz 2019

A founding member of the First Families of Australian Wine, d’Arenberg was established in 1912, when Joseph Osborn funded his new winery by selling his beloved racehorses. Thunderstep was one of them. An imposing, powerful race horse and father to Footbolt, the pride of Joseph Osborn’s stable (and now the name of one of the estate’s most iconic and ‘original’ reds). Today, the colourful Chester Osborn (below), fourth generation, is at its helm, and it “has kept its 100-year-old heritage while moving into the 21st century with flair and elan” (Halliday). It boasts one of the world’s most innovative cellar door experiences and an unparalleled, exciting range. Thunderstep is a superb addition. The 2019 shows an array of dark fruit flavours – plums, blackberries and blueberries – edged with notes of black pepper, dark chocolate, bay leaf and fennel. Complex and concentrated. Scored Double Gold at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Competition.