Sandscrub is Rusden's flagship Shiraz, drawn from the oldest vines on the estate in the Barossa Valley's Vine Vale sub-district and released here as a 2010/2012 blend rather than a single vintage. It sits at the top of the Rusden range, made in tiny volumes and priced accordingly, and the glass shows a deep, still-vibrant garnet colour that speaks to careful cellaring.

The bouquet is deep and layered - dark plum, blackberry compote and dried fig sit alongside clove, dark chocolate and a distinctive earthy, savoury complexity that comes with real bottle age. There are secondary notes of leather and dried herb that only develop with time, adding a further layer of interest beyond the fruit.

The palate is powerful yet composed, with dense, velvety tannins that have had time to integrate and a finish of remarkable length. There is a sense of completeness here that only time in bottle can bring, the fruit, oak-derived spice and savoury complexity all sitting in balance.

This is a wine for a significant occasion - a milestone dinner, a special cut of beef or simply a bottle worth giving your full attention.

Already showing the benefits of over a decade in bottle, it will continue to hold and reward further patience for those willing to wait.