Thomas Goss Shiraz

Thomas Goss Shiraz is a McLaren Vale Shiraz (14.5% ABV, 750ml) grown on land first planted by one of the region's founding vignerons in 1849. The 2022 vintage earned a Gold Medal at the 2025 Sakura Awards, and the wine has scored 93 points from Wine Orbit, which praised it as "beautifully ripe and inviting on the nose."

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: McLaren Vale, South Australia  |  Varietal: Shiraz  |  Winemaker: Alexia Roberts

Production & Heritage

Thomas Goss takes its name from one of McLaren Vale's original European settlers, who established vineyards on the property in 1849. Fruit for this Shiraz is sourced from select McLaren Vale vineyards, including blocks on that original Goss property, preserving a direct lineage to the region's founding viticulture. Winemaker Alexia Roberts, who took over the label in 2013 following Ben Riggs, has maintained a style that showcases McLaren Vale's warm-climate generosity while retaining freshness through careful fruit selection and balanced extraction.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep, smoke-tinged dark berries lead the nose, layered with licorice and dried flowers. A subtle minty undercurrent emerges as the wine opens, adding complexity to the ripe core.

Taste: The palate enters with chewy cassis and bitter cherry, building through a rich, chocolatey mid-palate with notes of plum, coffee, and dried herbs. Juicy acidity sharpens the fruit and keeps the wine lively despite its density, while black olive and peppery nuances add savory dimension.

Finish: Long, soft, and juicy, trailing off with blackberry jam, blueberry, and lingering licorice. The tannins are ripe and well-integrated, leaving a warm but balanced impression.

How to Drink Thomas Goss Shiraz

This Shiraz drinks well at cellar temperature (16–18°C) with no decanting required, though 20–30 minutes of air opens the aromatics further. It is primarily a food wine, but holds its own poured neat as an after-dinner glass.

• Kalimotxo: The wine's ripe, jammy fruit and soft tannins make it a surprisingly effective base for this simple red wine and cola serve over ice.
• Sangria: Its dark berry depth and spice notes anchor a winter-style sangria with brandy, cinnamon, and sliced stone fruit.
• Mulled Wine: The chocolate, licorice, and dried herb character integrates seamlessly with traditional mulling spices like clove and star anise.

Best For

• Weekend barbecues featuring grilled lamb or smoked beef ribs
• Introducing Australian Shiraz to someone exploring warm-climate reds
• Stocking a versatile, crowd-pleasing house red under $25
• Pairing with a cheese board anchored by aged cheddar and blue cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Thomas Goss Shiraz taste like? It is a rich, fruit-forward Shiraz dominated by dark berries, chocolate, and black cherry, balanced by peppery spice, dried herbs, and a long licorice-tinged finish. Juicy acidity keeps it fresh despite the generous body.

How does Thomas Goss Shiraz compare to d'Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz? Both are accessible McLaren Vale Shiraz wines at a similar price tier, but Thomas Goss tends toward a softer, jammier profile with more chocolate and licorice, while The Footbolt typically shows more earthy, savory tannin structure. The Goss wine's direct connection to 1849-era vineyard land gives it a distinct heritage story within the region.

Is Thomas Goss Shiraz good for everyday drinking? Absolutely — its ripe fruit, approachable tannins, and moderate 14.5% ABV make it an easy-drinking red that does not demand a special occasion. It rewards a slight chill and pairs broadly with weeknight meals.

Where is Thomas Goss Shiraz made? Thomas Goss Shiraz is produced in McLaren Vale, a sub-region of the Fleurieu Zone in South Australia, roughly 35 kilometers south of Adelaide. The grapes are sourced from select McLaren Vale vineyards, including plantings on the historic property settled by Thomas Goss in 1849.

What foods pair well with Thomas Goss Shiraz? Slow-braised lamb shanks complement the wine's licorice and dark fruit depth. Grilled beef sausages with caramelized onions mirror its smoky, peppery side. Aged cheddar draws out the chocolate notes. Wood-fired pizza with salami and roasted capsicum plays well against its juicy acidity. Dark chocolate desserts echo the mid-palate richness.

What sizes does Thomas Goss Shiraz come in? Thomas Goss Shiraz is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Thomas Goss Shiraz worth the price? It positions as a value-driven McLaren Vale Shiraz, delivering Gold Medal–winning quality and 93-point critical recognition at an entry-level price point. For the depth of flavor and regional pedigree it provides, it consistently overdelivers relative to its price tier.

Why Thomas Goss Shiraz?

Few wines under $25 carry a direct link to the founding chapter of one of Australia's most celebrated wine regions. The fruit that goes into this bottle includes grapes from land first cultivated in 1849 — not as a marketing gimmick, but as a genuine continuation of McLaren Vale's earliest vineyards. The 2022 vintage's Gold at the 2025 Sakura Awards and a 93-point score from Wine Orbit confirm that the wine's heritage is matched by current quality. Under Alexia Roberts' stewardship, this remains one of the most reliable and expressive examples of McLaren Vale Shiraz at its price.