Xanadu Circa 77 Margaret River Shiraz

Xanadu (pronounced “za-nuh-doo”) has called the Margaret River their home since 1977 and thus the label name Circa 77. Winding the clock back a bit the Xanadu story begins with an Irish doctor by the name of Dr John Lagan and his wife Eithne arriving in Western Australia in the late 1960s.

A decade later on they planted their first vines making them one of the region’s earliest vineyards. A lover of the Margaret River, a lover of wine and also of literature which is where John came up with the name Xanadu from Samuel Coleridge’s poem Kubla Khan. Xanadu was idyllic, exotic city in the poem and it’s how the Irishman felt about his new home in Western Australia.

The Circa 77 labels feature images of the beautiful Margaret River coastline and these coastal elements help to produce vibrant wines full of flavour. This is 99% Margaret River Shiraz with a 1% splash of Viognier for a touch of aromatic fragrance.

If you’re wondering whether to Xana-do or Xana-don’t – well James Halliday’s Wine Companion says its perfectly – “As is the way, great value and a terrific drink.”

Described by the Xanadu crew as “A generous, full-bodied wine offering ample depth with plenty of ripe blackberries, raspberries and a touch of spice. The jubey fruit and approachable tannins combine to produce a generous, supple wine with a warm lingering finish.”

For a snip under $20 this is a bargain buy from the Margaret River.