Farm Hand Organic One of a Kind Shiraz 2020: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Plush & Velvety

Farm Hand Organic One of a Kind Shiraz 2020 is now in a lovely peak-drinking window, showing the depth of McLaren Vale Shiraz with the extra softness and harmony that comes from bottle age. Expect dark berries, plum, raspberry, chocolate, clove and pepper spice, wrapped into a rich, mouth-filling palate. The tannins have settled beautifully — smooth, fine and lightly chalky rather than forceful — giving the wine shape without getting in the way of its generous fruit and savoury finish.

Highlights

• Organic Shiraz from McLaren Vale
• Crafted by Farm Hand — one of Australia’s leading organic wine labels
• Peak-drinking 2020 vintage with dark berries, chocolate, clove and pepper
• Rich, smooth palate with fine chalky tannins
• 91/100 from Vinonotebook; Fourth Wave review listing also notes 91 points
• 14.4% ABV

Tasting Notes

Deep and dark in the glass, this is a mature McLaren Vale Shiraz now showing lovely integration. The fruit sits in the blackberry, plum and raspberry spectrum, with chocolate, clove, pepper and a subtle savoury edge adding depth. Bottle age has rounded the palate beautifully: it is rich and mouth-filling, with smooth fruit weight, fine chalky tannins and a long, warming finish that is more mellow and harmonious than grippy.

Winemaking

This is 100% Shiraz from McLaren Vale, made by winemaker Corey Ryan and bottled under cork. Vinonotebook notes that the 2020 wine comes from a single vineyard in the Tatachilla area, with 20% matured in new French oak and the balance in older large-format barrel. With time in bottle, the oak and tannin have settled into the wine, leaving a smoother, more integrated expression of dark fruit, chocolate spice and savoury McLaren Vale richness.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit comes from McLaren Vale, a South Australian region known for generous Shiraz, coastal influence and naturally expressive red wines. Independent review notes place the fruit in the Tatachilla area. As a 2020 vintage now moving through its sixth year, this wine is in its peak drinking phase, with the primary fruit still present but softened by savoury development and fine, chalky tannin structure.

Why We Love It

This is a smart choice when you want a mature organic red without the wait. It still has the plush dark fruit and chocolate spice that make McLaren Vale Shiraz so satisfying, but the edges have softened and the tannins have become smoother and more settled. It is generous, comforting and ready to drink now.

Food Pairing

Match this wine with food that suits rich, smooth Shiraz: slow-cooked meats, roasted vegetables, earthy mushrooms, smoky char and gentle spice. Its fine chalky tannins and mellow fruit make it especially good with dishes that have depth rather than sharp heat.

Try matching this wine with →

• Slow-cooked lamb shanks with rosemary and garlic — Find a Recipe
• Chargrilled eggplant with tahini, herbs and pomegranate — Find a Recipe
• Beef short ribs with red wine, mushrooms or black pepper — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Open it for a cosy dinner where the wine should do a little more than just sit in the glass — roast lamb, candlelight, good conversation and something chocolate nearby.

Cellaring

This wine is drinking at its peak now. Enjoy over the next 6–12 months to catch the best balance of dark fruit, chocolate spice, smooth tannins and savoury bottle-aged depth.

Producer

Farm Hand is part of Fourth Wave Wine and has become one of Australia’s better-known organic wine labels, built around fruit from the Monash Valley in South Australia and, for this One of a Kind Shiraz, McLaren Vale. The brand focuses on organic fruit grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides, aiming for bright, generous wines that remain accessible. This premium bottling is made by Corey Ryan from 100% Shiraz, using a single-vineyard source in the Tatachilla area and French oak maturation to add depth and texture.

Related Wines To Try →

For similar organic Shiraz styles, explore these fuller, fruit-driven reds from Organic Wine.

• Fresh, everyday organic Shiraz — Farm Hand Organic Shiraz
• McLaren Vale biodynamic depth and spice — Paxton MV Shiraz
• Organic McLaren Vale Shiraz with black fruit and liquorice — Spring Seed Scarlet Runner Shiraz

FAQ

What does Farm Hand Organic One of a Kind Shiraz 2020 taste like?

It tastes like mature McLaren Vale Shiraz, with blackberry, plum, raspberry, chocolate, clove and pepper. The palate is rich and mouth-filling, with smooth fruit weight, fine chalky tannins and a long savoury finish.

Is it sweet or dry?

This is a dry red wine. The fruit is ripe and generous, but the finish is savoury, structured and dry rather than sweet.

How full-bodied is this Shiraz?

It is full-bodied, with generous fruit concentration and a warm 14.4% ABV. With bottle age, the structure has softened, so it now drinks as rich and smooth rather than firm or young.

How should I serve Farm Hand Organic One of a Kind Shiraz?

Serve it around 16–18°C in a large red wine glass. A short 10–15 minute breathe is enough now; it does not need heavy decanting because the wine has already softened with age.

Can this wine be cellared?

This wine is at peak drinking now. It is best enjoyed over the next 6–12 months while the fruit, chocolate spice and mature smoothness are all in balance.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This wine is organic and made with minimal preservatives, but it is not listed as No Added Preservative. Most wines contain some naturally occurring sulphites, and wines with added sulphites will usually declare this on the label.

Is Farm Hand Organic One of a Kind Shiraz vegan friendly?

Farm Hand promotes its organic wine range as vegan friendly. This wine also sits within that Farm Hand organic range, though always check the current bottle or product specification if vegan status is essential for a particular purchase.

What food pairs best with this wine?

It is excellent with lamb shanks, beef short ribs, mushroom ragu, roast vegetables and chargrilled eggplant. The smooth tannins and dark fruit make it a lovely match for slow-cooked and savoury dishes.

Who will love this wine?

It is ideal for drinkers who enjoy mature McLaren Vale Shiraz, Barossa Shiraz or rich South Australian reds with chocolate, spice and dark berry depth. If you like plush reds with smooth tannins and a little bottle-aged softness, this is a strong fit.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Dry red wines are generally lower in sugar than sweet wines, and this Shiraz tastes dry. For strict keto tracking, use the sugar and calorie information listed in the product specifications when available.

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