DON’T TELL GARY SHIRAZ 2019

This wine is a labour of love – one the accountants didn't know about. Winemaker Jo Nash discovered an exceptional parcel of Shiraz from the Grampians which she gently crushed, then tucked away in some ridiculously expensive French oak barrels to age for 12 months. Gary McPherson is the GM and also an accountant. The wine speaks for itself – minimal intervention, purity of fruit, Shiraz at its best. 

Winery notes (2019 Vintage)
"Our DtG Shiraz is created by sourcing and harvesting only the very best premium Victorian fruit. As soon as primary fermentation was complete, the wine was racked into 500L French Oak Puncheons (80% New Oak, 20% 1 Year Old), where it was left to go through malolactic fermentation. With minimal intervention, the viticulture/winemaking was more important than ever.

The DTG Shiraz is a beautiful dark garnet colour with black cherry, blueberry and mixed spice on the nose. Hints of pepper and soft oak spice are beautifully integrated with blackberry fruits and medium bodied silky tannins.

This is a special occasion wine. Drink with like-minded wine lovers who enjoy sticking it to the man! Take a moment to admire the gorgeous colour of the wine, then it’s a perfect match to charcuterie and cheese, char grilled steak, or a meat pie. Do what you want to do, just DTG."

5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, February 2021 (2019 Vintage)
"Beautifully ripe and perfumed, the inviting bouquet shows Black Doris plum, blueberry, violet, olive and roasted nut aromas with a hint of pepper spice. It’s supple and succulent on the palate with rounded mouthfeel and silky tannins, making it soothing and comforting. At its best: now to 2029."

4 ½ Stars The Wine Writer (2019 Vintage)
"Deep ruby with a lovely purple hue. Deep, rich, and intense aromas of juicy blackberry, fresh boysenberry, sweet plum, and pepper with a hint of anise. The juicy dark fruit continues onto the palate and is joined by a soft, lifted acidity that freshens the palate and a soft tannin structure. Perfect for your next barbeque!"

Reviews for the previous vintages below…

Number 1, 5 Stars & Best Buy, Cuisine Australian Shiraz Tasting, July 2020 (2018 Vintage)
"If you’re wondering who Gary is… he’s the winery accountant and the accountant is the last person to know when a winemaker goes rogue. Which is exactly what McPherson Wines winemaker, Jo Nash, did when she found an exceptional parcel of shiraz grapes in a single vineyard in Victoria, South Australia, which had been established in 1998. A covert winemaking operation ensued with wild yeast, open-top fermentation, allegedly extraordinarily expensive oak and minimal intervention in the winery with the intention to let the fruit shine through. I don’t know if Gary ever did find out.

A warm, dry vintage in 2018 meant grapes had to be picked quickly to ensure the quality of fruit needed for a wine like Don’t Tell Gary. This wine is all about allowing the fruit to sing and, boy, does it; this is a delicious example of a cooler-climate shiraz with floral blueberry and blackberry fruits and just a hint of pepper spice. The succulent berry and black-fruit characters flow on through to the palate with acidity and silky tannin polish supporting a luxe finish. Perfectly described by head judge Ben as a shiraz with poise, presence and personality."

5 Stars Winestate, April 2020 (2018 Vintage)
"Sweet confectionery nose – all blackberries and cedar oak. Stewed plum and red fruit flavours and fine tannin structure".

Best Buy, Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine, June 2019 (2017 Vintage)
"Pristine aromas of violets, cassis, blackberry and blueberry backed by faintly smoky, tight-grained oak are lifted by scents of spice and cracked pepper. It’s medium to fullish in weight, long and elegant, with mouth-filling, vivacious fruit of perfect clarity extending over a fine, seductive backbone of crunchy tannins towards a gentle but emphatic finish. An old-fashioned ‘Burgundy’ style from one of the best of all shiraz regions, the Grampians. Incredible value."