Dad’s Black Pig Review – Limited Edition From Virgin Wines

Reviewed by Colin Hewitt

Are you having problems deciding upon a gift for Father’s Day? If he likes a fine, full-bodied red wine, then he’s sure to enjoy this limited edition Shiraz from Virgin Wines.

The Shiraz grape variety is one of Australia’s favourites, and Australia produces more Shiraz than any other new world country. Genuine wine connoisseurs – and that’s definitely not me (I enjoy a glass or three, but I would never claim to be an expert) – will know that the Shiraz is a very full-bodied grape, with a reasonably high acidity value; it’s also genetically identical to the hard to find French Syrah grape. McLaren Vale is located south of Adelaide in South Australia, an area with a prestigious wine making heritage.

The Black Pig McLaren Vale Shiraz has been one of Virgin Wine’s bestselling wines for many years, but to make Father’s day that little bit special, a 2018 vintage limited edition, Dad’s Black Pig (750ml, ABV14%), has been released.

The wine can be found and ordered on-line via the comprehensive Virgin Wines website; it arrived promptly, very well but not excessively packaged. The bottle is presented in a lovely, ‘I’m going to keep that because it will come in handy for something’, sturdy tube, which any self-respecting father will find an alternative use for once the elegant red wine has been consumed; together with a glossy sheet of comprehensive and highly informative tasting notes.

However, style and substance apart, if you strip away the packaging, the gorgeously tactile bottle and the tasting notes, what is the wine actually like? That’s an easy one to answer; this is a serious wine and absolutely delicious.

Not only is the colour dramatically vibrant, but the flavours are also bold, silky-rich, and slightly woody. It also tastes earthy with a hint of smoke. However, despite this barrage of heavy and heady flavours, the wine is perfectly balanced. You can really taste the softness of the fruit, and it leaves a wonderful tannic aftertaste without being overpowered by the tannins.

To me, it tasted slightly better with food. I’m thinking quite hearty meat dishes, lamb, beef, venison, maybe a BBQ, or even a pasta-based dish. Despite its name, the Black Pig is a vegan wine (It’s called Black Pig in honour of the pigs that live in and around the vineyards of the wine maker’s collective); therefore, if you’re vegan or vegetarian, try matching it with a rich, luxurious, spicy vegetable dish. However, I wouldn’t recommend it with anything sweet as the flavour profile would become very distorted.

The only drawback was that the bottle seemed to become empty way too quickly; I’m not really sure how that happened.

I would highly recommend this as a gift, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I’m definitely going to seek out other Black Pig wine varieties on the Virgin Wine Website.

Rating: 5/5

RRP: £25.99

Including free delivery and, if required, a free gift message.

For more information or to buy direct from Virgin Wines, visit www.virginwines.co.uk