Jim Barry, Barry Bros, Shiraz Cabernet, Clare Valley

€24.99

Jim Barry is one of the top, top red wine producers in Australia. Making one of the most sought after Shirazes of today, the mighty Armagh, his legacy has continued into the following two generations. This wine is made by two of his grandsons, the Barry brothers, and is a really gorgeous blend of power and elegance.

Best sites, including the McRea Wood and Lodge Hill vineyards, go into this blend that is intense and broad, with flavours of blackberry, black cherry and lovely integrated vanilla and mocha spice.

Australian wineries have begun a new relationship with the Syrah and Shiraz variety. Many more modern wineries are producing elegant, restrained wines that are far more Northern Rhone in style than one might expect. This is on account, to some extent, of a kick back against alcohol levels, over-intensity of fruit and concentration and a preference to things that are more versatile and contemplative (if that's possible in a wine).

Where to, then, for the likes of full-bodied, four-star, leaded 4.2 litre style wines that don't want to change their tuner? Well, simply put, unless the wines are really well-made and balanced, then it's not looking good. Some will always draw a crowd - Grange, Hill of Grace etc - but, believe it or not, even these mammoths are evolving too...

The key thing for us is balance: even high alcohol levels can be overcome, if the wine has balance, and with it, requisite complexity, intensity and length. These four things remain, but the greatest of them is balance. The Barry Bros Shiraz Cabernet delivers that and has interest and charm to boot.

Now, as it happens, they claim that this (very) traditional style is made through a contemporary lens, which could mean anything, but in reality it just shifts the concentration of fruit to complexity and smoothness, making this red blend from the Barry Bros. a very, very pleasant glass of wine.

Region: Clare Valley

Country: Australia

Grape(s): Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon

Style: Rich, Powerful, Full, Dark, Broad

Best food matches: Spicy, Red Meats, Pork, Pizza, Mature Cheeses, Lamb, Game, Cheeses, Charcuterie, Beef

Alcohol: 14%

Why buy from us?

When you buy wine from The Allotment Wine Co. you're helping a small Irish company that in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers who grow the grapes and make amazing wines. We only work with partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.

Delivery & Returns

You'll get free delivery when you buy 12 x 75cl bottles of wine online from The Allotment, saving you €7.99.

We charge €7.99 per delivery for quantities less than that.

Our hours for processing orders are between 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday.

We pack your online wine order along the following timelines:

Wine orders for delivery in Dublin, received before 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected the next working day.

Wine orders for nationwide delivery, received by 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected two working days later.

Customer reviews

★★★★★
Great choice and excellent service. Received my delivery the next day.
Paul H.
★★★★★
Amazing service from the get go!
I emailed Chris looking for wine recommendations for a birthday gift. Got a really speedy, helpful reply and not only that but he hand delivered it on time to the birthday girl wishing her a happy birthday. Absolutely bowled over by the service. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Michelle McM.
★★★★★
Could not recommend The Allotment enough. The selection is fantastic and each wine that I've drank from them has been utterly phenomenal. Delivery was no hassle and I had the wine at my door in 2 days. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Luke B.
★★★★★
Good range of interesting wines. Good personal attention to their orders. Very customer focused. I would be happy to recommend this company to any prospective customer.
Jim D.
★★★★★
A great experience ordering from The Allotment Wine Company. A wide variety of wines to try something new and at good prices with super quick delivery! Really convenient too as opposed to trying to find parking!
N. Dowling
★★★★★
Delicious and interesting range of wines delivered promptly to my door. Not far off that lovely feeling of coming back laden from a good wine store but without any of the traffic or the worry of breaking the wine en route (very impressive travel wrap).
M. Dorman
★★★★★
Chris fields a fine range of excellent, keenly-priced wines. Orders are safely packaged and dispatched efficiently and promptly. Strongly recommended.
David M.
★★★★★
Great selection of wines, hassle free ordering, payment and delivery. Highly recommended.
Patrick H.
Hi, I'm Chris Gifford.

And you're very welcome to The Allotment Wine Co.

When you wine from me, you're supporting a small Irish business which in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers, as well as other small, dedicated Irish wine importers.

When selecting wines, I look for partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.