"A strong release of the Orphan Bank Shiraz from the most excellent 2021 vintage in the Barossa. Deeply coloured with gorgeous aromas of macerated satsuma plums, blueberry, boysenberry and dark cherry fruits. Hints of baking spice, dark chocolate, light espresso notes, violets, licorice, panforte and earth. It's all about harmony, fruit density and flow here, tight, compact sandy tannins providing the base and a finish that lingers nicely with an array of dark plum fruits and spice."
95 points - James Halliday
"The 2021 Orphan Bank Shiraz hails from a lovely season in South Australia: it was long, mild and dry, with good yields, a welcome change from the preceding trio of warm, dry vintages. So here, we have an abundance of dark berry fruits on the nose, with warm baking spices, sweet roasted meat and beetroot, licorice, red apple and raspberry. In the mouth, the wine is inky, intense and full, with a plush register of fruit that is both ripe and throaty. Dried mint, resin, a hint of forest moss and black licorice adorn the nose. This is an interesting wine; it's almost impossibly intense, achingly so. 14.8% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
92 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate