The Footbolt is always such a reliable McLaren Vale Shiraz. Tasting the 2015 version is almost a nostalgic experience for me, harking back to childhood memories of boysenberry pie, buckets of freshly picked mulberries and blackberries, that unmistakable smell of Darrel Lee liquorice. Generous and rich in texture. Tannins that are craftily woven into the juicy fruit providing a pleasant chewiness and a structural backbone to the mouthfeel. There's a real sense of cohesion, everything in its place, fruit, acid, tannin, oak. On the topic of oak, its there in the background, perhaps a subtle hint of chocolate brioche or mocha, but it is in no way a distraction to the hero of this wine, the fruit. When I'm not in the mood for flamboyance or challenge, I always reach for a Footbolt, it's just like catching up with an old friend, honest, reliable and comforting. Makes you wonder why you don't catch up more often.