Ryan Montgomery

James Suckling 96 Points

Dark-fruited and spice-driven, with a lovely earthy undertone and aromas of smoked meat, olive brine, blackberries and crushed stones, lifted by a floral edge. The palate is textural, with firmly framed yet integrated tannins, showing fine tension and dry, densely packed fruit without any excess fleshiness. Good density and refinement, with strong mid-palate drive. Drink or hold.

Mike Bennie

The Wine Front 97 Points

This feels more robust than previous releases of Agricola’s Flaxman Valley, yet still holds its own with tension and texture. These are quite something, the 2024s a cavalcade of charisma and personality, yet finesse and a showcase of high-res tannin. “How do they make it so cheap, son?”.

The first and foremost thing to discuss is the pixellated, fine, succulent tannin. It shapes the wine but also melts into it, lends freshness, draws comparison to Italianate endeavours and lends a freshness to each approach. A rich array of dark and brooding berry and cherry fruit, blue fruits too, Aussie bush characters, a bit of alpine herb, some turned earth, paprika-spiked salumi, roast beetroot, pepper and then elements of graphite and stone – I’m loath to push the list of descriptors but they just keep coming up. It sits low profile in the palate but manages to stain it too – almost, not quite, a pinosity, maybe cru Beaujolais, but hey, it’s its own thing too. An experience of subtleness, which is a strange thing to say for Barossa shiraz; this is so compelling.

Dave Brookes

Halliday Wine Companion 97 Points

Looking at these '24 releases from Callum Powell you can't help but think 'Jeez, the Barossa is in good hands.' The fruit purity is off the charts in these wines. The Flaxman Valley release represents a 'home' wine for Powell – it's in his hood. There's a wide brushstroke of dark plum and red fruits, etched with spice, moody amaro tones, some sage, cold tea, meadow flowers, hanging game meats and crushed rock. There's an elasticity to its palate shape with fine, powdery tannins shaped around the pure fruit in a kinetic fashion and the finest, laciest of acid lines bringing everything together. It's a hypnotically delicious wine and I found myself drawing needless comparisons ... 'yeah, it's kind of St. Joseph-y ... yeah, nah ... it's totally Agricola Vintner-y'. A stunner.