Xanadu Wines Shiraz Circa 77 Margaret River 2021

Drinking this wine takes us back to… Xanadu. C’mon, you knew we’d say it – had to! But it’s true. 95 Pt. Shiraz is never the wrong call, especially when the price drops like this! $14.95 each on 6-11 bottles, and then just $12.95 each on 12+!  Drink this and think of those halcyon days of yore when everything was simple and easy – just do it quickly!

Xanadu – it’s the winery we’re talking about now – was founded in 1977 in one of Australia’s most revered appellations, Margaret River. And the wine, called Circa 77, is a nod to the founding of the label. It was then that John and Eithne Lagan first discovered the site and named it Xanadu because of its idyllic and beautiful nature – a reference to the mythical home of Kubla Khan in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's famous poetry. Now, nearly 50 years later, Xanadu continues to stun with every vintage of their wines – without question one of Australia’s elite wineries.

Australia has some of the most stunning terroir, some of the oldest surviving and still-producing vines in the world, and winemakers who are often on the cutting edge of viticulture and winemaking techniques. All of these factors make for excellent and highly respectable wines – and all of these facets are a part of the Xanadu story. From pioneers to innovators, Xanadu has remained one of the country’s most acclaimed wineries for decades. And this excellent 95 point wine proves that they have no intention of resting on their laurels.

In this shiraz, Australia’s flagship grape, there’s heaps of moody dark character from dark fruits like blackberries and boysenberries, raspberries, and even some licorice notes that really turn the volume up to a level 10! The medium tannins provide a backbone of structure, but the spicy finish makes the wine super approachable. The nose is woodsy and spicy, almost a perfect aroma for the holiday season. Though it is an Aussie shiraz (known as syrah everywhere else), it still takes hints from the Rhone, blending a bit of white wine – in this case 1% viognier – in with 99% shiraz. The viognier co-fermentation actually causes a deeper extraction of color in the wine, but the light floral lift and spiciness to the overall blend is a welcome side effect. The wine sits in barrel for 14 months, with 20% in new French oak – giving a smooth and rich polish to the overall wine, making this one of the top shiraz wines from down under – and one that can be yours at a most excellent price! All the way down to $12.95 a bottle when you get a case! So get moving, friends!