Vintage
2020
ABV
14%
Wine Type
Red
Wine Style
Still
Wine Description
The Thomson Family Shiraz is produced from Henry Best’s original 1868 Shiraz plantings, and only available in exceptional years, on average about six times a decade. Thomson Family Shiraz is hand harvested, hand plunged and fermented in small open fermenters. Aged in 20% new French Oak and aged in Best’s underground cellars for 14 months. The wine is only produced in years when the quality is second to none.
The Thomson Family Shiraz was elevated to the highest and rarest Langton’s Classification of “1st Classified” in the 2024 Classification VIII.
The 2014 Thomson Family Shiraz was awarded the ‘Wine of the Year’ in the 2017 Halliday Wine Companion and the 2017 was awarded 99 points in the 2020 Wine Companion.
Accolades
Halliday Wine Companion – Jeni Port
Oozes class and elegance. Destined for a long and fruitful life, Thomson Family Shiraz embraces blackcurrant, blood plum, bramble, briar, earth and spice. Fine in features, it can be deceiving because there is a strength here, built on old vines and the gentlest of oak which allows the fruit to sing. GOLD – 95 points
Rob Geddes MW – April 2025
The oldest vines on this old estate, planted in 1868, are reserved for this wine. It is more than a drink being part of our culture, part museum exhibition and work of art in a glass. Rich and dense aromas, red and black berries from the berry farm, charcuterie meats and gravy from the kitchen and earthy dusty tar notes from the road. Liquid silk tannins give the palate good length with more higher fruit notes on the palate than normal wrapped in a fine tannin viscosity. In the mouth, youthful intensity, very full in the middle palate with spice, blackberry, tar and red liquorice.
Not heavy and very smart use of subtle oak, more fruity than normal but not big with an intensity and dignity that only old vines can deliver. It's going to be interesting to see its age as it is still quite adolescent. With equivalent old-vine Syrah wines selling overseas at 4 and 5 times the current price, I think on an international level, this wine is good value, all things considered. Drink by 2045
Rating: 97 points
Winemaker's Bio
Justin Purser brings extensive international experience and perspective to Best’s Wines. After graduating from Adelaide University with a Bachelor of Science in Oenology, Justin worked at Primo Estate Wines in South Australia. From there he moved overseas where he worked vintages at Peregrine Wines in Central Otago, New Zealand, and Azienda Brezza Giacomo e Figli in Barolo. Between 2008 and 2011, Justin supervised a team at Domaine de Montille, Volnay, in Burgundy, where he oversaw the production of Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines. In November 2011, Justin relocated from France for his role as Winemaker at Best’s.
