Not much time for writing on this, my penultimate evening of Big Brand-dom, so I’ll get straight down to business and a pair of Aussie Shirazes.

Lindemans Bin 50 Shiraz 2007, South Eastern Australia
I enjoyed Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay but I’ve found the reds (see Days 15 and 17) just too confected. This the best of the three, and it’s licorice-tinged black fruit flavours are quite appealing. But once again, I wish someone had let that bright fresh fruit alone, rather than try and tart it up with oak.

Banrock Station Shiraz 2003, South Eastern Australia
Yes, 2003. Not many people bother to give Australian reds the bottle age that they deserve. Shame, as even cheap wines can be all the better for extra time in bottle (as Oz’s JC vertical showed). Certainly there’s a rather attractive meaty character emerging as I swirl the glass. Hmmm, it feels a little hollow, and I don’t think it’s going to last much longer, but I quite like the mellow fruitiness here, and the relaxed, leather-and-fig-y finish. Doubt whether you’ll find any still in the shops – this came direct from Constellation – but maybe it’s worth stashing away a couple of bottles from current vintages for 2010.