2021 Nicks Secret BFD Reserve Barossa Shiraz

This bold Barossa Shiraz was one of Robert Parker’s darling wines in the early 2000’s meriting scores of up to 99 points. Following hot the heels of the outstanding 2020 vintage, the superb 2021 release lacks nothing in terms of power or intensity on its predecessor yet shows a shade more refinement and has managed to garner even more substantial scores from the critics.
Produced from a selection of only the best barrels utilising the estate’s oldest blocks of Shiraz, this formidable wine is only released in the great vintages and whilst not widely distributed on Australian shores it can be found selling for $150.00 per bottle on the winery's website. Maturation takes place in a mix of new French and American hogsheads for a period of 30 months.

Seductive black and blue fruits wrapped up in a refined opulence are delivered with impressive intensity and power.

Dense inky black heart with an equally deep dark red black hue. Dark plum, liquorice and dark chocolate aromas waft out of the glass complimented by some high quality vanillin oak, hints of mocha, blueberry and subtle earth notes. Boasting blockbuster depth and power yet showing a refined opulence and youthful freshness, the full bodied palate is awash with rich, concentrated dark plum, liquorice, blackberry and blueberry fruits. Spicy vanillin oak, mocha, earthy fennel and pepper characters linger across the back half. Velvety tannins have an underlying sturdiness with ample freshness lending a balanced feel to the long seductive finish.
Having only recently been it bottled it could use a few more months to settle but has all the ingredients to make a great Barossa Shiraz.
Drink over the next 6-8 years plus.
Alc. 15%

Other Reviews…..
I have to say that there have been some wonderful wines from this vintage, and this masterpiece is right up there with the best of them. It’s a limited production release and given the quality of the vintage it makes sense it has been created in this season. The low crops have created a wine of tremendous concentration and intensity, but at the same time the balance is superb. Spicy blackberry and plum with a ladling of dark syrup chocolate and subtle coffee grinds. Loving it now. Drink 2025-2045.
98 points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com

The team’s Reserve is a barrel selection from the harvest of their oldest blocks of Barossa Shiraz, and only made in the best vintages. 2021 is categorically one of those ‘best vintages’. The oak used to mature the wine will be a mix of new French and American hogsheads and the time spent in them will be up to two and a half years. Under cork. Not surprisingly, there is a serious oak influence in this wine, but it is integrating superbly. An opaque maroon, this is a big, bold and delicious red, Richly flavoured, with mocha, soy, coffee beans, dark chocolate, cassis, beef stock, licorice and axle grease. Fine acidity here, running the length, silky but rather abundant tannins and great length. This is a twenty year proposition. Drink 2025-2045.
96 points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com

A powerful rendition; the intense bouquet shows cassis, dark chocolate, olive, toasted spice, cedar, and potpourri aromas, leading to a concentrated palate that's dense and weighty. Substantial and brooding, it's wonderfully structured with layers of fine tannins, finishing immensely long and captivating. At its best: now to 2039.
97 points
Sam Kim