One thing that defines the palate of Hong Kong wine lovers is perhaps our almost fanatical affection for back vintage wines. Back vintage Old World fine wines tend to lead us all the way back to 1950s if not earlier. Well-aged versions often present drinkers with an ethereal cocktail of dessicated fruit, earthy; iron-charged, meaty finish. When it comes to New World fine wines, hunting down back vintages all the back to 50s is a much harder feat, though not impossible. Thankfully, the team has indeed tried a 1959 Yalumba Galway Vintage Claret (coming from the private cellar of Yalumba top management); or Napa reds from the 70s (library stock kept by the more established, sizable wineries like Spring Mountain Vineyard). It takes bit of luck, and the winery’s generosity to get a taste of those half-a-century old New World wines.

Let’s change the question. Name one New World wine region where you can find affordable, interesting back vintages options. Our answer goes straight to Australia. especially some of those 1990s to early 2000 Australian Shiraz (and Cabernets – we will leave it to another newsletter). There are ample great choices out there. Compared against their more youthful counterparts, these maturing Australian Shiraz will show rounder and more mellow. The generosity of fruit is still there, though instead of being intense and brooding, age gives drinkers a more harmonious, congenial taste profile. Take a look at our shortlisted selection of maturing Aussie Shiraz and why we like them.

And if we have to choose one, among all else, to drink today. Our hearts go to 1998 Clarendon Hills Piggott Range Syrah. One of the “Grand Cru” under Clarendon Hills’ own classification, Piggott Range locates in Northeast Mclaren Vale where vines are grown in a site with a thin layer of rich red loam topsoil beneath which lie a thick pure slab of rock that restrain vine vigour. This adds minerally midtones and racy nuances to the wine (as it evolves with age).

Please note that these offers and prices are only accurate as of the publishing time of this article. For updated availability and real-time converted prices, please refer to below interactive table. We do hope that the one-liner summary of the respective styles and highlights of individual wine help you find the right mature / maturing Aussie Shiraz for your enjoyment.

Cheers mate! (As the Australians love to say – way more often than global average…)